Why not ask “Does the chimpanzee have a soul?”

The question, “Does the chimpanzee have a theory of mind?” is logically identical to the question, “Does the chimpanzee have a soul?” It is a peculiarity of our culture that we talk about anyone having a mind, and such talk is unhelpful for a science of behavior. The label “killjoy hypothesis” is an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Behavioral and brain sciences 1998-02, Vol.21 (1), p.116-116
Main Author: Baum, William M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral sciences
Brain
Heyes, C. M.: Theory of mind in nonhuman primates
Open Peer Commentary
Primates
Psychology
Theory
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Summary:The question, “Does the chimpanzee have a theory of mind?” is logically identical to the question, “Does the chimpanzee have a soul?” It is a peculiarity of our culture that we talk about anyone having a mind, and such talk is unhelpful for a science of behavior. The label “killjoy hypothesis” is an ad hominem attack.
ISSN:0140-525X
1469-1825
DOI:10.1017/S0140525X98230706