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Evolution of the Human Capacity for Beliefs
Author(s) -
Goodenough WardH.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1990.92.3.02a00030
Subject(s) - intentionality , language evolution , human evolution , relation (database) , hominidae , action (physics) , narrative , non human , epistemology , bonobo , cognitive science , biological evolution , psychology , sociology , cognitive psychology , evolutionary biology , linguistics , anthropology , biology , computer science , philosophy , genetics , quantum mechanics , database , physics
Evolution of the human capacity for beliefs is considered in relation to the emergence in human phylogeny of the ability to formulate propositions, evaluate their worth as bases for action, and make emotional attachments to them. Most of the relevant capabilities had appeared in primate evolution before the emergence of the Hominidae. The combination of capabilities peculiar to evolving hominines was that involved in the development of language, which ontogenetic evidence suggests began as a tool for implementing intentionality in social interaction; the subsequent elaboration of language was associated with later reportorial and narrative uses.