Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John Collier jotted down the following: > I think that evolution tended to favour the, now considered rash, quick > thinker rather than the contemplator when faced with a sabre-tooth tiger. Good point, but also slightly off target. With the advent of language we have the capacity of -- and daily exercise in -- abstract, rational thought. Yet, what is surprising is that while we use it constantly, we stop way short of the limits of this faculty. Other survival points to consider are gathering food, collective hunting, finding secure shelter from the environment, raising young. These all profit from contemplative, problem-solving thinking, rather than just quick reacting to stimuli. On second thought, you're actually dead on, but in a (perhaps?) unintended fashion: it's a question of satisficing, rather than optimizing. Which, of course, is in perfect keeping with human nature and evolution. M. - -- Martin Howard | Visiting Scholar, CSEL, OSU | If you have to drink and drive, make email: howard.390@osu.edu | it a latte... www: http://mvhoward.i.am/ +---------------------------------------