For example, one of my pet hypotheses is that, since we are bipeds that grow up vertically, we’re conditioned to think that more important things are in a vertically higher position than less important things
Does this matter, though? A question I have about the whole field of embodied cognition.
It keeps a check on our expectations for mutual understanding with alien species. A lot of our idioms and mental habits won’t have any meaning for them, and vice versa. This already happens between human cultures, but it will happen even more with species that don’t share our biologic history. Ultimately, it will compel us to reconsider how much of our thinking is generalizable, and how much is the contingent product of our evolution.
Does this matter, though? A question I have about the whole field of embodied cognition.
It keeps a check on our expectations for mutual understanding with alien species. A lot of our idioms and mental habits won’t have any meaning for them, and vice versa. This already happens between human cultures, but it will happen even more with species that don’t share our biologic history. Ultimately, it will compel us to reconsider how much of our thinking is generalizable, and how much is the contingent product of our evolution.