Rathkopf, Charles (2020) Neural Reuse and the Nature of Evolutionary Constraints. [Preprint]

Preview

Text ReuseConstraint_Preprint.pdf Download (219kB) | Preview

Abstract

In humans, the reuse of neural structure is particularly pronounced at short, task-relevant timescales. Here, an argument is developed for the claim that facts about neural reuse at task-relevant timescales conflict with at least one characterization of neural reuse at an evolutionary timescale. It is then argued that, in order to resolve the conflict, we must conceptualize evolutionary-scale reuse more abstractly than has been generally recognized. The final section of the paper explores the relationship between neural reuse and human nature. It is argued that neural reuse is not well-described as a process that constrains our present cognitive capacities. Instead, it liberates those capacities from the ancestral tethers that might otherwise have constrained them.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Rathkopf, Charles charles.rathkopf@gmail.com 0000-0001-8998-2220
Keywords:	neural reuse, neuronal recycling, evolution, constraint, representational content, human nature
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Depositing User:	Dr. Charles Rathkopf
Date Deposited:	18 Aug 2020 14:38
Last Modified:	18 Aug 2020 14:38
Item ID:	18000
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
Date:	May 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18000

Available Versions of this Item

• Neural Reuse and the Nature of Evolutionary Constraints. (deposited 20 May 2020 01:13)

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item