Q&A: Theory of Knowledge and Evolution
Theory of Knowledge and Evolution
Question
In your books you discuss at length the very ability to make generalizations (induction) and the fit between our perception and reality. Could this not be attributed to evolution? That is, in truth there is no reason to place trust in our cognition, but simply only those creatures whose perception matched reality survived, and from that it follows that we can rely on our cognition. It really does match reality, because that is simply what survived, and therefore in all likelihood it fits reality. Thank you.
Answer
Even the conclusion that there was evolution came from those same tools of generalization, and so on. Beyond that, a match to reality does not always provide the highest survival value. There are things in reality that it is better not to see in order to survive.