Principle 4

“Different neural circuits are specialized for solving different adaptive problems.”

We have a neural circuitry where the circuits are specialized for solving different problems. It is a well known fact in engineering that all-purpose machines are no good. So also with the brain; for instance a hammer cannot perform the job of an axe or an axe cannot perform the job of a hammer. For reasons of efficiency different neural circuits are specialized to solve different adaptive problems.

Now let us look at the human body:

Our lungs are there for respiration and not for waste treatment. The function of waste treatment is done by our kidneys. In the same way the heart does not detoxify poison, it pumps blood. The detoxification of poison is done by the liver. So if we look at the body we find that every organ of the body has a specific function for the smooth functioning of the body. So in an analogy, evolutionary psychologists opine that different neural circuits perform different functions:

“For the same reason, our minds consist of a large number of circuits that are functionally specialized . For example, we have some neural circuits whose design is specialized for vision. All they do is help you see. The design of other neural circuits is specialized for hearing. All they do is detect changes in air pressure, and extract information from it. They do not participate in vision, vomiting, vanity, vengeance, or anything else.” (Tooby and Cosmides)