Dark Matter of the Mind

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Is it in our nature to be altruistic, evil, or to create art and language? Daniel L. Everett argues that human nature, as commonly understood, does not exist. Contrary to trends in Evolutionary Psychology, he asserts that humans are hardwired only for freedom: freedom from evolutionary instincts and the ability to adapt to diverse environments and cultures. Through extensive field research with the Pirahã people of the Amazon, Everett challenges established theories of cognitive instinct, including Noam Chomsky's universal grammar and Freud's unconscious forces. He highlights the unique aspects of the Pirahã language to illustrate how culture profoundly influences thought and cognitive flexibility. By examining the interplay between culture and individual psychology, he presents a view of the cultural self as a collection of experiences shaped by memories, values, knowledge, and social roles, rather than biological instincts. This exploration reveals the "dark matter of the mind," emphasizing that our greatest evolutionary asset is our adaptability.