Creatures extremely low in the intellectual scale may have conception. All that is required is that they should recognize the same experience again. A polyp would be a conceptual thinker if a feeling of 'Hello! thingumbob again!' ever flitted through its mind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even very simple creatures can think if they can recognize repeated experiences.
- In plain terms
- Recognition of repeated experience is enough for basic thought.
- What can you take from it?
- Look for patterns to gauge cognition.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What counts as thinking for you?
- Can simple patterning be called cognition?
Another view
Recognition alone may not capture higher‑order thinking.
More from William James
So our self-feeling in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do.
Permalink to quote #27 Let any one try, I will not say to arrest, but to notice or attend to, the present moment of time. One of the most baffling experiences occurs. Where is it, th…
Permalink to quote #29 Properly speaking, a man has as many social selves as there are individuals who recognise him.
Permalink to quote #26
Related quotes
There is one living spirit, prevalent over this world ... which assumes a multitude of forms according to subordinate laws. There is one thinking sensible prin…
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin quote #1 Why should things be easy to understand?
Thomas PynchonThomas Pynchon quote #2 I love the idea of there being two sexes, don't you?
James ThurberJames Thurber quote #3