心のモジュール説の新展開 : その分析と二重継承説との両立可能性

Abstract

This paper will focus on and analyze the recent arguments on mental modularity. Although the Massive Modularity Hypothesis (MMH) has been criticized by many philosophers and psychologists, Barrett, Sperber, and Carruthers argue that these criticisms have misunderstood the meaning of the concept of "module" in MMH; they argue that this concept differs from Fodorian module and should be investigated in terms of functional specialization. Through clarifying the concept of module in these arguments and the reasons why MMH based on such mental modules can be supported, the author will consider the relationships between MMH and culture. In particular, the author will argue that MMH can explain social learning because some biases in the Dual Inheritance Theory can be also regarded as modules. It follows that MMH can be compatible with the Dual Inheritance Theory to a significant degree.