This chapter of the book is about cognitive processes and the ways they are related to learning and creating. The text discusses how scientific concepts can be translated to the realm of mental imagery and visual thinking and how solutions inspired by nature and science-based issues support developing sensitivity and the use of original ideas in our work. Because cognition and learning may not be limited to humans, the text examines some mental operations in animals. On the other hand, the text discusses how the science- and technology-related producers might enhance their imagination and problem solving with graphical thinking and visual literacy.
Top3.1. Cognition And Learning May Not Be Limited To Humans
Questions about animal minds and doubts cast upon whether animals think are fraught with fear that animals are unknowable. This attitude has been changing in the light of current research results made in terms of considering humans as a part of animal world. Also, biology inspired science and technology revealed new information about animal world and lowered the artificial barrier between humans and animals. We are currently learning to look at the animal world and the experience of other animals with a premise that humans are not the measure of all things, and all life is one (Safina, 2015). In this light we can acknowledge that, in the words of Carl Safina (2015), “animals know who they are; they know who their family and friends are. They know their enemies. They make strategic alliances and cope with chronic rivalries. They aspire to higher rank and wait for their chance to challenge the existing order. Their status affects their offspring’s prospects. Their life follows the arc of a career. Personal relationships define them. Sound familiar?” (Safina, 2015, p. 2). Similar questions were asked about animal consciousness. According to the author, “all evidence indicates widespread consciousness” (Safina, 2015, p. 25). The same opinion about animal consciousness, emotions, feelings, empathy, playfulness, and sense of humor is shared by scientists studying behavior and personalities of elephants, dolphins, whales, wolfs, dogs, big cats, and other species (Worrall, 2015).