Educating Eve: The 'language Instinct' DebateAre we creatures who learn new things? Or does human mental development consist of awakening instinctive structures of thought? A view has gained ground that language in much of its detail is hard-wired in our genes. Others add that this also holds true for much of the specific knowledge and understanding expressed in language. When the first human Eve evolved from pre-human apes (it is claimed), her biological inheritance comprised not just a distinctive anatomy but a rich structure of cognition. Despite the impressive roll of converts which these ideas have gained, there is no good reason to believe them. The arguments of Pinker and others depend on earlier and more technical contributions, by writers such as Noam Chomsky. Many readers take these foundations on trust, not realizing how weak they are. This book examines the various arguments for instinctive knowledge, and finds that each one rests on false premises or embodies a logical fallacy. |
Contents
The Original Arguments for a Language Instinct | 23 |
The Debate Renewed | 65 |
Language Structure Turns Queens Evidence | 107 |
Copyright | |
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ability acquire adult argues argument aspects believe Bickerton biological brain called Chapter child Chomsky Chomsky's claim colour common complex concept contains creative critical cultural described detailed discussion elements English evidence evolution example expect experience explain fact follow give grammar human human language ideas individual innate innate knowledge instance intellectual interesting issue Jackendoff kind knowledge language language acquisition learning less linguistic logical looked matter means mental mind nativism nativists nature never noun object observable organisms particular pattern perhaps person philosopher phrase physical Pinker Popper possible predictions Press produce properties question quoted range reader reason references relevant respect rule Science scientific seems sense sentence sort sounds speak speakers specific speech statement structure suggests theory things thought tree true turn universal various verb writings