There is probably not much of a fundamental structural difference between a human mind and the mind of a "lower" creature like a canine. Even our intelligence (most of us) is not that much greater than a crow except that we have language. In the development of language, everything else that we value as being human followed. But, in my view (heavily influenced by sexual selection theory) the only reason we have language is because it is sexy and dangerous.
Some birds sing to attract mates, as do some whales. Almost all animals and insects communicate in some way to attract mates and/or to cooperate. Humans are no different in this respect - we communicate at some level to cooperate, but at a far more flowery level to attract mates. What we say is only slightly more important than how we say it - the timber of our voice reveals much about our hormonal, emotional, sexual, and immune states. But what we say reveals our intelligence and mental strength - our mental status.
What we say about other people and what they say about us can be very dangerous.
Some birds sing to attract mates, as do some whales. Almost all animals and insects communicate in some way to attract mates and/or to cooperate. Humans are no different in this respect - we communicate at some level to cooperate, but at a far more flowery level to attract mates. What we say is only slightly more important than how we say it - the timber of our voice reveals much about our hormonal, emotional, sexual, and immune states. But what we say reveals our intelligence and mental strength - our mental status.
What we say about other people and what they say about us can be very dangerous.
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