“What A Neanderthal!” This essay explores the widespread misconception regarding Homo Neanderthalensis, an extinct ‘cousin’ of the early modern human ancestors. The commonly held idea is that they were a drastically unintelligent species. The lesser known reality is that the Neanderthal was just as intelligent as the early modern humans that existed around the same time. The fallacies involved are bias consideration of evidence, overgeneralization, and common belief. Oftentimes, the name Neanderthal is used synonymously with hurtful terms such as “stupid,” “dumb,” and “ignorant,” all carrying negative connotations. Television programs such as Looney Tunes (Crusher), Iceman (Iceman), Night at the Museum (Laaa), and even GEICO commercials (Geico)
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If all scientists were able to stay completely unbiased as they’re meant to, the general public may not have such a warped idea of the Neanderthal. Unfortunately, more often than not, scientists will only consider the evidence that supports their theories, which may push their personal beliefs or careers. This is one of the reasons the false notion of the unintelligent Neanderthal became so prevalent. In addition, the scientists at the time had a tendency to compare the Neanderthals to modern humans, which is illogical because the modern humans have had an extra 45,000 years to continue evolving whereas the Neanderthal didn’t have that opportunity. It would have been more accurate to compare them to the other homo sapiens of the time such as Homo Heidelbergensis and the early modern …show more content…
This particular individual had severe arthritis, which gave him a hunched back and rigid joints (Etheridge-Criswell). Overgeneralization gave scientists the impression that this was the standard for all Neanderthal, even before finding the next Neanderthal specimens. Mindless conformity and the irrational appeal to common belief are the fallacies that lead the majority of the population to continue this way of thinking for hundreds of years. Rather than thinking for themselves or searching for more information, most people believe what most people believe, which isn’t always
If all scientists were able to stay completely unbiased as they’re meant to, the general public may not have such a warped idea of the Neanderthal. Unfortunately, more often than not, scientists will only consider the evidence that supports their theories, which may push their personal beliefs or careers. This is one of the reasons the false notion of the unintelligent Neanderthal became so prevalent. In addition, the scientists at the time had a tendency to compare the Neanderthals to modern humans, which is illogical because the modern humans have had an extra 45,000 years to continue evolving whereas the Neanderthal didn’t have that opportunity. It would have been more accurate to compare them to the other homo sapiens of the time such as Homo Heidelbergensis and the early modern …show more content…
This particular individual had severe arthritis, which gave him a hunched back and rigid joints (Etheridge-Criswell). Overgeneralization gave scientists the impression that this was the standard for all Neanderthal, even before finding the next Neanderthal specimens. Mindless conformity and the irrational appeal to common belief are the fallacies that lead the majority of the population to continue this way of thinking for hundreds of years. Rather than thinking for themselves or searching for more information, most people believe what most people believe, which isn’t always