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2005 : WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS TRUE EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT PROVE IT? [1]

In the News [ 17 ] [2]
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Contributors [ 120 ] [3]   |   View All Responses [ 120 ] [4]
[5]
Martin Nowak [5]
Professor of Biology and Mathematics, Harvard University; Co-author, SuperCooperators
Biological Mathematician, Harvard University; Director, Center for Evolutionary Dynamics

I believe the following aspects of evolution to be true without knowing how to turn them into (respectable) research topics.

Important steps in evolution are robust. Multi-cellularity evolved at least ten times. There are several independent origins of eusociality. There were a number of lineages leading from primates to humans. If our ancestors would not have evolved language, somebody else would have.

Cooperation and language define humanity. Every special trait of humans is derivative of language.

Mathematics is a language and therefore a product of evolution.

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Links:
[1] https://www.edge.org/annual-question/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it
[2] https://www.edge.org/inthenews/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it
[3] https://www.edge.org/contributors/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it
[4] https://www.edge.org/responses/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it
[5] https://www.edge.org/memberbio/martin_nowak