Co-evolution of human consciousness and language.
M A Arbib
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences April 2001 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb05717.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that human consciousness is a brain function distinct from reflex action and, while sharing aspects of "animal awareness" with other species, is unique because humans possess language. Proposes that a précis of intended activity formed in the brain of a human communicator constitutes consciousness, and that human language evolved from the monkey mirror system via hand-gesture communication as a stepping-stone to speech. |
Abstract
This article recalls Cajal's brief mention of consciousness in the Textura as a function of the human brain quite distinct from reflex action, and discusses the view that human consciousness may share aspects of "animal awareness" with other species, but has its unique form because humans possess language. Three ingredients of a theory of the evolution of human consciousness are offered: the view that a précis of intended activity is necessarily formed in the brain of a human that communicates in a human way; the notion that such a précis constitutes consciousness; and a new theory of the evolution of human language based on the mirror system of monkeys and the role of communication by means of hand gestures as a stepping-stone to speech.
Citations in the library
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