Minding minds

the long version

"In this book Radu J. Bogdan proposes that humans think reflexively because they interpret each other's minds in the social contexts of cooperation, communication, education, politics, and so forth. Metamentation began as interpretation mentally rehearsed: through mental sharing of attitudes and information about items of common interest, interpretation conspired with mental rehearsal to develop metamentation.". "Drawing on philosophical, psychological, and evolutionary perspectives, Bogdan analyzes the main phylogenetic and ontogenetic stages through which primates' abilities to interpret other minds evolved and gradually created the opportunities and resources for metamentation. Contrary to prevailing views, he concludes that metamentation benefits from, but is not a predetermined outcome of, logical abilities, language, and consciousness."--BOOK JACKET.