【英语时差8,16】狒狒和抽象思维

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On this Moment of Science Yael and Don discuss some interesting findings about baboons¹.   Y: That film about climbing Mount Everest was pretty amazing. Have you ever thought about doing something like that, Don?

D: Are you crazy? The day I think about climbing Mount Everest will be the day they prove that humans aren't that much different from baboons.

Y: Oh yeah? Well what if I told you that scientists have recently made discoveries that suggest baboons are capable of abstract thought?

D: I thought that only apes, the actual evolutionary² predecessors³ of humans, could think abstractly. For instance, I know chimpanzees have demonstrated abstract thought. But baboons are on a whole different limb of the evolutionary tree. They're part of a group that split 30 million years ago from the group that gave rise to apes and  humans.

Y: You're right, Don, except that now it seems that apes and humans may not be the only creatures with the ability for abstract thought. Two baboons have been trained to use analogical reasoning; that is, they can identify that this is to this as that is to that. Many theorists believe analogical reasoning to be the foundation of human  intelligence. Though these baboons aren't nearly as good at it as humans are, it's a discovery that nonetheless changes how we think about our relationship to the rest of  the animal world.

D: I guess that means I'll have to change my earlier statement. The day I think about  climbing Mount Everest will be the day baboons fly to the moon. You think that will  do it?

Y: You never can tell, Don.   

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