Morgan's canon is not evidence

Behav Brain Sci. 2018 Jan:41:e31. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X17001509.

Abstract

Mahr & Csibra's (M&C's) account of the communicative function of episodic memory relies more heavily on the case against episodic memory in nonhumans than their description suggests. Although the communicative function of episodic memory may be accurate as it pertains to human behaviour, we question whether Morgan's canon is a suitable foundation on which to build theories of supposedly human-specific traits.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Communication
  • Humans
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Mental Recall