mente primitiva
[ˈmẽ.tʃi pɾi.mi.ˈti.va]
nounfemininepl: mentes primitivas
primitive mind
1. A way of thinking characterized by basic reasoning, lack of abstract thought, and reliance on instinct or superstition; the cognitive state attributed to early human development or non-industrialized societies
Early anthropologists often studied what they called the primitive mind to understand human evolution.
Os primeiros antropólogos frequentemente estudavam o que chamavam de mente primitiva para compreender a evolução humana.
2. A mindset marked by simplistic, concrete thinking without complex analysis or critical reasoning
He accused his opponent of having a primitive mind for not understanding the nuances of the argument.
Ele acusou seu oponente de ter uma mente primitiva por não compreender as nuances do argumento.
This term originates from 19th and early 20th-century anthropology and is now considered outdated and potentially offensive, as it reflects colonial-era biases about non-Western societies and indigenous peoples. Modern anthropology and cognitive science reject the concept of 'primitive minds' as all humans across cultures demonstrate sophisticated cognitive abilities.
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