“ My belief, based on experiences with domestic and wild animals is that there is nothing uniquely human about "theory of mind". “
This belief might simply arise from the human ability to try to understand events through pattern matching. Certainly humans are very different than any other animals when it comes to thinking and problem solving.
What does it mean that my cats 100% understand what container their treats are kept in? I can not leave the container on the counter or they will knock it onto the floor and tear the lid off to get inside.
I am conviced they understand something is hidden in a box. Object permanence is something humans and cats both learn and understand.
This belief might simply arise from the human ability to try to understand events through pattern matching. Certainly humans are very different than any other animals when it comes to thinking and problem solving.