225 | Michael Tomasello on The Social Origins of Cognition and Agency
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
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Understanding Chimpanzee Cognitive Capabilities
Chimpanzees have been found to exhibit an understanding of others' perception and goals, as demonstrated in studies where they differentiate between what is visible to dominant and subordinate chimps, and comprehend others' goals even when not witnessing the actions. However, this understanding is limited to perception and goals, rather than broader mental states. The research suggests a starting point for cognitive capabilities in great apes, emphasizing continuity without equating it to identity, and highlights the importance of shared perspectives in collaboration.
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