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What are the evolutionary causes of mental time travel?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2007

Mathias Osvath
Affiliation:
Cognitive Science Department, Lund University, Lund, SE-222 22, Sweden. mathias.osvath@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/lucs/staff/person.asp?id=155&lang=engpeter.gardenfors@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/lucs/staff/person.asp?id=42
Peter Gärdenfors
Affiliation:
Cognitive Science Department, Lund University, Lund, SE-222 22, Sweden. mathias.osvath@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/lucs/staff/person.asp?id=155&lang=engpeter.gardenfors@lucs.lu.sehttp://www.fil.lu.se/lucs/staff/person.asp?id=42

Abstract

We are not entirely satisfied with the evolutionary explanation provided by Suddendorf & Corballis (S&C) for why only humans should be capable of advanced mental time travel. General social factors do not suffice, given that other primates are also highly social. We discuss the evolutionary mechanisms that have generated mental time travel typical to humans, focusing on ecological factors.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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