"If the lion could talk ..."

Language is a literal and linguistic tool that many believe is a fundamental basis of the way we think. Some have hypothesized (like the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis) that many languages do not have room for certain thought patterns, and are able to alter our thoughts.

The underlyin...

Perspective taking relies not only upon our ability to share emotions with others, but also upon our capacity to regulate our own emotions. 

The point is not to ask ourselves what we would...

If each of us had to justify each rule from scratch, we would grind to a halt. Because of rules, we are able to learn hugely complex systems of language and social norms without spending too much time.

However, rules can develop their own momentum. People can become so passionate about arbi...