PHILOSOPHY - NEUROSCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY 6: Folk Psychology

In this Wireless Philosophy video, we explore the phenomenon known as “folk psychology” - a framework or “theory” that virtually all humans use to explain and predict each other’s behaviors and mental states with a seemingly high degree of reliability. What is the nature of folk psychology, and where does it come from? Are we born with it? Do we learn it and pass it on through our cultural practices? And how plausible is it to claim, as some researchers do, that folk psychology qualifies as a truly scientific theory?
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[@dionysianapollomarx]

Awesome. This is great for a beginner.

[@realpe29]

It could be explained that we are not born with it, but that it is acquired as we grow up with certain neural patterns that are influenced by personal experience, personality, culture, beliefs.

[@hunterG60k]

Isn't this just what we call theory of mind in other animals, except humans have the ability to talk about it? Or maybe not even as complex as ToM, just behavioural interpretation? If we couldn't talk wouldn't it look the same as any other social animal responding to those in its group?

[@realpe29]

Yes, I think it could look like this, but we must bear in mind that humans have a highly developed neocortex, which gives us a great advantage for cognitive empathy and reasoning about the behavior of others and expressing it through language. Some studies have shown that other mammals, such as primates, elephants, dolphins, and dogs, also have the ability to recognize and share the emotions of their peers. These animals also have a neocortex, albeit smaller and less complex than ours. So, I think it depends on the level you look at it. Obviously humans are the most complex, and we can reason about any behavior we can reach with language. Some animals like the ones I have mentioned will do it in a simpler way but it could be compared.