Single Idea 3166

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 9. Naturalised Epistemology]

Full Idea

Rats and monkeys exhibit 'latent learning' (learning just for fun) which is later beneficial. They learn with no consequences, and then can't learn when the good consequences are available.

Gist of Idea

Animal learning is separate from their behaviour

Source

Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], 4.1.1)

Book Reference

Rey,Georges: 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind' [Blackwell 1997], p.99


A Reaction

This looks like a bit of a setback for naturalised epistemology and cognitive science, if learning can't be brought within a stimulus-response framework.