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9 Mind, Life, and the Universe
these strict, meticulous details in a special form in memory. These rigorously
precise reports are encapsulated in units that we call propositions.
Humans have the capability to further separate propositions into words.
But mostly, we and other animals apprehend propositions as structured mental images, for it is in that form that they have meaning. Generally, a proposition
is a unit of meaning which cannot be decomposed into separately meaningful parts. For example, an isolated word or phrase does not bring any new
knowledge.
When an animal is carrying out a task, its attention is narrowed so it is aware
only of the specific items it is dealing with, to the exclusion of all else. Its mind
is operating in the analytic mode. In that mode, the mind works somewhat like
a computer—making comparisons, trying different combinations, exploring
possibilities. Emotion plays no role in the decisions it makes, for they depend
only on how things of the material world fit together. This way of operating is
almost mechanical.
Moreover, when an animal is busy carrying out a task, it is the individual’s
volition—its will—that is firmly in command. There is a well-defined goal to
be achieved, and the individual is acting with a clear purpose to achieve this
end. It may be said that the open, receptive aspect of the psyche is in eclipse in
those moments, whereas the pragmatic, goal-driven, willful side is in control.
While occupied with a practical task, an individual’s mind is turned outward,
fully engaged with the external, material world.
All animals—including humans—process information analytically when
involved in their activities. They are focused on immediate facts and specific
details. In order to carry out even the simplest tasks successfully, a creature
must operate in a systematic and highly disciplined way. Indeed, it is generally
recognized that all living creatures behave in a rational manner in pursuit of
their goals.
Throughout history, humans have defined themselves as the rational animal.
It is still believed that reason and logic are features that belong exclusively to
the human mind. We believe this because we are the only species that have
language, and traditionally we recognize rigor and disciplined thought most
easily in verbal productions. We have a long tradition of argumentation and
enjoy finding flaws in the reasoning of others. Thus, we have a keen eye for
lapses in logic. What is specifically human is that we have reified logic—made
a separate object of it—and recognize it explicitly as a feature of discourse and
behavior.
We also mistakenly assume that symbolic thought is a human achievement,
and it is widely believed today that the evolution of modern humans can be
equated with the emergence of symbolic forms of expression. What we overlook
9 Mind, Life, and the Universe
these strict, meticulous details in a special form in memory. These rigorously
precise reports are encapsulated in units that we call propositions.
Humans have the capability to further separate propositions into words.
But mostly, we and other animals apprehend propositions as structured mental images, for it is in that form that they have meaning. Generally, a proposition
is a unit of meaning which cannot be decomposed into separately meaningful parts. For example, an isolated word or phrase does not bring any new
knowledge.
When an animal is carrying out a task, its attention is narrowed so it is aware
only of the specific items it is dealing with, to the exclusion of all else. Its mind
is operating in the analytic mode. In that mode, the mind works somewhat like
a computer—making comparisons, trying different combinations, exploring
possibilities. Emotion plays no role in the decisions it makes, for they depend
only on how things of the material world fit together. This way of operating is
almost mechanical.
Moreover, when an animal is busy carrying out a task, it is the individual’s
volition—its will—that is firmly in command. There is a well-defined goal to
be achieved, and the individual is acting with a clear purpose to achieve this
end. It may be said that the open, receptive aspect of the psyche is in eclipse in
those moments, whereas the pragmatic, goal-driven, willful side is in control.
While occupied with a practical task, an individual’s mind is turned outward,
fully engaged with the external, material world.
All animals—including humans—process information analytically when
involved in their activities. They are focused on immediate facts and specific
details. In order to carry out even the simplest tasks successfully, a creature
must operate in a systematic and highly disciplined way. Indeed, it is generally
recognized that all living creatures behave in a rational manner in pursuit of
their goals.
Throughout history, humans have defined themselves as the rational animal.
It is still believed that reason and logic are features that belong exclusively to
the human mind. We believe this because we are the only species that have
language, and traditionally we recognize rigor and disciplined thought most
easily in verbal productions. We have a long tradition of argumentation and
enjoy finding flaws in the reasoning of others. Thus, we have a keen eye for
lapses in logic. What is specifically human is that we have reified logic—made
a separate object of it—and recognize it explicitly as a feature of discourse and
behavior.
We also mistakenly assume that symbolic thought is a human achievement,
and it is widely believed today that the evolution of modern humans can be
equated with the emergence of symbolic forms of expression. What we overlook