Causal cognition, force dynamics and early hunting technologies
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Abstract
With this contribution we analyze ancient hunting technologies as one way to explore the development of causal cognition in the hominin lineage. Building on earlier work, we separate seven grades of causal thinking. By looking at variations in force dynamics as a central element in causal cognition, we analyze the thinking required for different hunting technologies such as stabbing spears, throwing spears, launching atlatl darts, shooting arrows with a bow, and the use of poisoned arrows. Our interpretation demonstrates that there is an interplay between the extension of human body through technology and expanding our cognitive abilities to reason about causes. It adds content and dimension to the trend of including embodied cognition in evolutionary studies and in the interpretation of the archeological record. Our method could explain variation in technology sets between archaic and modern human groups.
Description
CITATION: Gardenfors, P. & Lombard, M. 2018. Causal cognition, force dynamics and early hunting technologies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9:87, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00087.
The original publication is available at https://www.frontiersin.org
The original publication is available at https://www.frontiersin.org
Keywords
Hunting technologies, Prehistoric peoples -- Hunting, Causation, Physical anthropology, Brain -- Evolution, Cognition
Citation
Gardenfors, P. & Lombard, M. 2018. Causal cognition, force dynamics and early hunting technologies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9:87, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00087