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In reply to the discussion: Our brains have evolved to look for patterns and assign meaning, even when none exist. [View all]edhopper
(33,205 posts)26. Seeing patterns is incredibly useful
tracking animals, seeing where there could be danger, what in the landscape might indicate water or edible plants, etc...
But this ability let's us see thing that aren't there. Patterns in the stars or clouds, faces in the rock.
There is no on/off switch for real or imagined patterns. We must use other cognitive abilities to discern those.
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Our brains have evolved to look for patterns and assign meaning, even when none exist. [View all]
cleanhippie
Mar 2012
OP
So basically saying science can be used to study the brain and the evolution of it is...
Humanist_Activist
Mar 2012
#5
The simplest example of this would be the constellations and looking for shapes in clouds...
Humanist_Activist
Mar 2012
#6
Exactly. And unfortunately, people still assign agenticity as seen in horoscopes.
cleanhippie
Mar 2012
#10
I don't forget that we live in groups, your explanation didn't have anything to do with groups.
Jim__
Mar 2012
#19
Anecdotal evidence: Astrology columns in newspapers. Useless gambling systems.
Jim Lane
Mar 2012
#21
Your answer indicates that you are far more prone to see patterns than to be overly skeptical.
Jim__
Mar 2012
#24
All it takes for overzealous pattern recognition to be an evolutionary advantage...
Silent3
Mar 2012
#50