Causal Cognition and Theory of Mind in Evolutionary Cognitive Archaeology

Abstract

It is widely thought that causal cognition underpins technical reasoning. Here we suggest that understanding causal cognition as a thinking system that includes theory of mind (i.e., social cognition) can be a productive theoretical tool for the field of evolutionary cognitive archaeology. With this contribution, we expand on an earlier model that distinguishes seven grades of causal cognition, explicitly presenting it together with a new analysis of the theory of mind involved in the different grades. We then suggest how such thinking may manifest in the archaeological or stone tool record and techno-behaviors of the last three million years or so. Our thesis is threefold: (a) theory of mind is an integral element of causal cognition; (b) generally speaking, the more advanced causal cognition is, the more it is dependent on theory of mind; and (c) the evolution of causal cognition depends more and more on mental representations of hidden variables. Ultimately, the final or seventh grade of causal cognition allows us to reason from a network of hidden variables that, amongst other things, enables the learning, manufacture, and use of complex technological systems. It also facilitates the seamless mapping of knowledge between personal (egocentric), physical, and social networks that allows for newly devised and innovative technical and social outcomes.

Causal Reasoning and Event Cognition as Evolutionary Determinants of Language Structure

“…This position entails that most human cognitive functions had been chiselled out by evolution before language appeared on the hominin scene. Language would not have evolved without these cognitive capacities, in particular advanced causal cognition, having a rich theory of mind, representing events, having a memory system that includes episodic memory and representing future goals [ 13 , 45 , 49 , 100 ].…”

“…Thus, the mental entities form a class of hidden variables that act as social forces and which we add to our perception in order to understand causal relations. A theory of mind is, therefore an important extension of human causal cognition [ 49 ].…”

Anthropomorphism as a contributor to the success of human (Homo sapiens) tool-use

“…For concision, I'm excluding the anthropomorphic treatment of non-human animals-which may or may not actually have goals and desires-but I do include artificial, moving entities (e.g., vehicles) along with simple inanimate objects. Machination may be ancient: Lombard and Gärdenfors [16] suggest that users of the Levallois stone-knapping technique tens to hundreds of thousands of years ago 'understood how a [stone] core would "behave" in the future'.…”

A Southern African Perspective on Human Origins Research between 500 000 and 50 000 Years Ago: Current Dilemmas and Questions for the Future

“…For example, in setting up an ambush scenario, the hunters understood that their common goal was to kill a prey animal, and that they have different roles in the execution of this joint intention, indicating third-order theory of mind. Their understanding of the predictable patterns of animal movement, conducive of such ambush hunting, might also indicate non-conspecific theory of mind, also described as grade 5 causal reasoning (Lombard and Gärdenfors, 2017;Gärdefors and Lombard, 2018;Lombard and Gärdenfors, 2021). The same cognitive implications would apply to Neanderthal ambush hunting with wooden spears, at sites such as Schöningen in Germany, and Clacton in the UK dating to ~400-300 ka (e.g., Thieme, 2005;Voormolen, 2008;Allington-Jones, 2015).…”

“…It is therefore perhaps not surprising that this is also the time during which our ancestors became increasingly proficient stone-tipped weapon makers and spear and javelin hunters (Lombard and Haidle, 2012;Sahle et al, 2013;Lombard, 2021). Together with these techno-behaviours they developed an understanding that allows for the attribution of causal roles to inanimate objects such as hafting agents in the form of twine and/or adhesives for making their composite tool kits (Gärdenfors and Lombard, 2018;Niekus et al, 2019;Lombard and Gärdenfors, 2021). Other human remains from South Africa dating to this period include Homo heidelbergensis/early Homo sapiens from Hoedjiespunt with an age estimate of 300-200 ka, also associated with MSA artefacts (Berger and Parkington, 1995;Churchill et al, 2000).…”