2025 Andersen Fellows Lecture in Philosophy

Curious animal minds: a journey into the evolution of cognition.

Gema Martin-Ordas | University of Stirling  

Thursday, 16 October | 5:45pm doors for 6:00pm start

Human intelligence is fascinating. We communicate using language, regularly cooperate with others to reach shared goals (e.g., building bridges or houses or playing symphonies), engage in abstract reasoning and scientific inquiry, and learn sophisticated cultural behaviours from others (e.g., moral rules). Why do humans possess such abilities while other animal species do not? One approach to answer this question has been to examine the roots of human intelligence by investigating intelligence across the tree of life (i.e., in other animals). Now we know that many animal species possess several complex abilities previously thought to be unique to humans. For example, chimpanzees use and create tools. A complementary approach has been to focus on the study of infants and children to investigate how intelligence emerges in development. Now we know that, for example, language plays a critical role in the emergence of human intelligence.

In this talk, Gema will combine both approaches and will take us through an evolutionary journey to shed light on whether the ability to think about the past and the future is unique to humans. She will present empirical work with vertebrates (e.g., children and great apes) and invertebrates (e.g., bees) that will contribute to answer this question and will help us reconsidering our place within the animal kingdom.

ABOUT GEMA MARTIN-ORDAS:

I am a comparative psychologist working on the evolution and development of cognition. For more than 10 years now, my work has focused on investigating whether episodic memory and future thinking are (or not) uniquely human. I lead a Comparative Cognition Laboratory at the University of Stirling where my team and I study cognition in vertebrates (e.g., children, great apes) and invertebrates (e.g., insects), with specific focus on memory and thought about the future. I have developed new methodologies to test cognition in humans and animals and I have also adapted methodologies previously used with primates to test cognition in bumblebees. Since my doctoral research, I have worked extensively to build a strong international and interdisciplinary research profile, spanning research activities across 5 different countries (Germany, Canada, Denmark, United Kingdom and Sweden) and across disciplines—from Philosophy to Environmental Sciences. Since the start of my career, I have been actively engaged with public engagement activities (e.g., public talks). My work has also had worldwide media coverage (radio and internet, e.g., Science Daily, BBC).

Join us for some refreshments after the lecture.

Images: courtesy of Gema Martin-Ordas research