{
  "id": 7021191,
  "title": "The evolution of choice and arguing about it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/the-evolution-of-choice-and-arguing-about-it",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T23:53:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Haaretz",
    "slug": "haaretz",
    "url": "https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2026-09-13/ty-article-magazine/the-evolution-of-choice-and-arguing-about-it/000001a0-75c5-d2fd-afbc-f7effb1e0000"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When did our ability to communicate go beyond grunting and gesturing? Clues to the origins of our linguistic abilities may be found in the remarkable choices made by ordinary hominins. Due to our large brains, we humans possess both free will and awareness of it, but our choices are still limited by circumstances, such as weather, geography, or even laws. Different societies have unique rules, but all have some form of rules. Breaking key rules often leads to negative consequences, like court battles. So, when did language evolve, moving beyond mere physical gestures and fixed vocalizations? When did our thoughts become more sophisticated, transcending simple actions like fight, flee, or eat?\n\nOpinions vary widely on when language emerged. Some believe it suddenly appeared, while others argue for early development. Evidence is circumstantial, and the debate continues. At one end is the idea that language emerged only once in our evolution, while at the other end, proponents argue that language started evolving millions of years ago.\n\nHumans have free will and are aware of it, but our choices are still constrained by circumstances. To make complex choices, we need communication, which evolved over time. Early humans demonstrated skill in choosing specific rocks for tools, even transporting quality stones long distances. This suggests they had standards and possibly a proto-language. Evidence of deep prehistoric tool-making, like the Lomekwi tools from 3.3 million years ago, supports this idea.\n\nResearch shows that the building blocks for complex vocalizations existed before the rise of our species. Humpback whales and Bengalese finches exhibit cultural learning, passing down unique vocalizations to their offspring. While bats demonstrate vocal learning, they lack grammar and syntax. However, humans possess the ability to mix phonemes to create words, leading to rudimentary language.\n\nThe question remains: did language emerge before or after the Homo genus split from chimpanzees? Although chimps exhibit some communication skills, they lack the ability to create words. The emergence of language and complex tool-making might have predated the emergence of modern human structure. The debate continues, but the evidence suggests that our capacity for language and communication evolved over millions of years.",
  "summary": "When did our ability to communicate advance beyond grunting and gesturing? Clues to the genesis of our linguistic abilities may lie in extraordinary choices by ordinary hominins",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}