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Foresight, function representation, and social intelligence in the great apes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2012

Mathias Osvath
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden. Mathias.Osvath@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=693&lang=engTomas.Persson@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=692&lang=engPeter.Gardenfors@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=691&lang=eng
Tomas Persson
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden. Mathias.Osvath@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=693&lang=engTomas.Persson@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=692&lang=engPeter.Gardenfors@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=691&lang=eng
Peter Gärdenfors
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden. Mathias.Osvath@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=693&lang=engTomas.Persson@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=692&lang=engPeter.Gardenfors@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/persons/person.asp?filpers=691&lang=eng

Abstract

We find problems with Vaesen's treatment of the primatological research, in particular his analysis of foresight, function representation, and social intelligence. We argue that his criticism of research on foresight in great apes is misguided. His claim that primates do not attach functions to particular objects is also problematic. Finally, his analysis of theory of mind neglects many distinctions.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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