Nothing in Cognitive Neuroscience Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution

Evolutionary theory should be a fundamental guide for neuroscientists. This would seem trivial statement, but I believe that taking it seriously is more complicated than appears to be, as argue in this article. Elsewhere, proposed the notion of “bounded functionality” As way describe constraints considered when trying understand evolution brain. There are two bounded-functionality essential any evolution-minded approach cognitive neuroscience. The first constraint, bricoleur describes evolutionary pressure adaptive solution re-use relevant resources available system before selection situation appeared. second satisficing fact trait only needs behave advantageously its competitors order selected. In paper how can inform an evolutionary-minded do so, resort Nikolaas Tinbergen’s four questions about behavior, namely: function, causation, development and evolution. bottom line assuming neuroscience intrinsically tentative, slow, messy.