Did abstract concepts occur to our earliest ancestors before they started communicating them? That seems very likely. Yet, did we start counting before developing complex languages, or did we start talking after we started counting?
In other words, did human semiosis precede counting and primitive arithmetic, or did language evolve because of counting and numbers?
Naturally, this conundrum prompts another question, why or how did human communication and complex thought begin at all? Regardless, the mystery of why only some apes (not all of them) became humans will probably remain mysterious.
Of course, the many environmental challenges and physiological adaptations that favored human family culture, successful child-rearing, and positive emotional bonding must be considered essentials. However, some researchers now consider the possibility that biochemical factors, especially ingestion of psychedelic and neuro-adaptive fungii (etc.), may have been critical keys to the inception of uniquely human neurological development and psychosocial evolution.
That seems very likely. After all, even some non-psychotropic fungii and plant compounds are now known to promote growth of new neuronal networks. Compelling experiments with mice show truly the powerful neurogenesis after treatment with psylocibin. Interestingly, the behavior of the mice changed in favor of eliminating the effects of trauma and habitual fear. In other words, even mice prefer happy enjoyment more than suffering.
So, if brain-enhancing fungii help mice improve their lives, is it reasonable to assume that our earliest hominid ancestors were less motivated to improve their lives?
Now, the most important question may be: why do so many modern humans seem to prefer maintaining causes of suffering and habitual fear? On the other hand, it seems more important to ask: how can we rescue ourselves and our habitat (if possible)?
I look forward to your insights, etc. ~ M
Thank you Dear Michael Lucas Monterey for raising this intriguing question. It is somewhat reminiscent of the "Chicken-and-egg" Dilemma, "describing situations where it is not clear which of two events should be considered the cause and which should be considered the effect, to express a scenario of infinite regress, or to express the difficulty of sequencing actions where each seems to depend on others being done first". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_or_the_egg
However, If we refer to animals, we could consider that they have faculties of communication using sounds that they emit in various ways. If we can admit that these modes of communication are somewhat similar to forms of primitive languages, it seems to me difficult to affirm that animals have the notion of numbers and even less the faculty of associating them with any form of treatment.
Thanks Jamel - I must agree with your summation, conditionally. The exceptions are seen in the projects with captive animals. Two of the most amazing examples are the work with an African Grey Parrot and Koko th gorilla.
Hence, we might ask about motives, the nature v. nurture issue & the devolutionary corruption of humanity vs. Nature
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