2017 Maps of Meaning 08: Neuropsychology of Symbolic Representation | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The constants of human experience, such as perception and action, are rooted in the deep reality of being. These constants shape our cognition and play a role in our survival as individuals and as a species.

Key Insights

• ⌛ The most real things are the ones that are most permanent across time, like perception and action.
• 🇨🇫 Humans spent a significant amount of time in the African environment and are adapted to it.
• 💠 Human cognitive processes have evolved over the entire span of evolutionary history, rather than being shaped solely during a specific period.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How do the permanent elements of being manifest in our cognition and perception?

The constants of being, such as perception and action, shape our cognition and perception. Our senses are tuned to a specific duration and distance, enabling us to interact with the world and make sense of it.

Q: How does evolution play a role in our adaptation to the environment?

Evolutionary psychologists argue that humans are adapted to the African environment, and our features, such as hairlessness and swimming abilities, are remnants of that adaptation. However, it is more useful to consider the evolution of human cognitive processes over the entire span of evolutionary history.

Q: How do abstraction and consciousness intertwine?

Abstraction allows us to conceptualize the world beyond our immediate sensory experiences. It enables us to think at a higher level, plan our actions, and consider the consequences of our behavior. Consciousness arises from this interaction between abstract thinking and sensory perception.

Q: How do stories and myths reflect the permanent elements of being?

Myths and stories often contain archetypal elements that reflect the constants of being. They explore the relationship between the known and the unknown, the role of consciousness, and the need for navigating the chaos of existence.

Q: How do the permanent elements of being manifest in our cognition and perception?

The constants of being, such as perception and action, shape our cognition and perception. Our senses are tuned to a specific duration and distance, enabling us to interact with the world and make sense of it.

More Insights

• The most real things are the ones that are most permanent across time, like perception and action.

• Humans spent a significant amount of time in the African environment and are adapted to it.

• Human cognitive processes have evolved over the entire span of evolutionary history, rather than being shaped solely during a specific period.

• The fundamental constants of being, such as perception and action, have remained unchanged, despite technological advancements and cultural shifts.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The most real things are the ones that are most permanent across time, such as perception and action.

• Evolutionary psychologists propose that humans spent most of their time in the African environment and are adapted to it.

• The idea that humans are no longer adapted to their environment due to technological changes is false since the fundamental constants of being have not changed, and change would require radical transformation.

• Human cognition and perception are influenced by both nature and culture, leading to the development of categories and abstractions.