5th Order Theory of Mind makes Art/Religion possible

Just read a great book by Dunbar entitled "The Human Story" - a review of it is here.



A look at current theories of how human language and culture began, it includes an intriguing look at Theory of Mind.

A good demonstration of what Theory of Mind means is shown by the Sally-Ann test - if you give a 4 year old child (in this example called Sally) a tube of Smarties and ask her what is inside the tube, they should say "smarties" of course - but you have prepared the tube and open it to show pencils you placed in it earlier. After the inevitable disappointment, replace the lid then invite Ann into the room. We now ask Sally what Ann will say when we ask what is in the Smartie tube.



Here comes the key point: to get the correct answer, Sally needs Theory of Mind to comprehend other minds exist beyond her own. This develops in humans at around 4-6 years old. If Sally is below 4, she will answer that Ann will say pencils, not being able to distinguish her own experiences from Ann's. Over around 6 years old, Sally will give the correct answer that Ann will get the question wrong, saying it contains smarties.

This experiment demonstrates 2nd order theory of mind - to pass the test Sally needs to know [1] that Ann will think [2] there are smarties in the tube.

It turns out there are hardly any animals who can comprehend 2nd order theory of the mind - some chimpanzees and maybe dolphins can make the leap.

In humans, we also seem to have a limit of our own Theory of Mind to around 5th or 6th order - beyond that is out of our comprehension.

A forth order Theory of Mind would be something like:
Ann thinks [1] she knows what Bill will say [2] when Bill realises Sally is jealous [3] of Sue being in love with Bill [4].

4th order already is quite complicated, and interestingly women are more adept than men beyond this order.

Now, for religion to function, 4th order functionality is necessary: The general population [1] must know their religious ideals are shared with others [2]: that they are all regarded by God(Gods) [3] who react and listen to prayers [4].

A religious leader who rises up and teaches such would need to be at least order [5], and his inspirational prophet to inspire such following a [6]?

Good art can also be seen to require higher order theory of mind - the example Dunbar gives is Shakespeare:

...Iago had to intend [1] that Othello would believe [2] that Desdemona wanted [3] to love another for his plot to work. Moreover, we, the audience, need fourth-order intentionality [4] to understand the play, and Shakespeare needed fifth-order intentionality [5] to be able to write the play so as to produce the appropriate response in us.

Good art communicates at least what the artist was thinking, and maybe even what a group or nation thinks - Mona Lisa is a good example I think - it has those layers - what was Mona thinking of the artist when she sat for him, what did the artist want the audience to think Mona was thinking of the artist?

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