Count them out?

What would the world be like if we could not or did not count? It is an interesting notion. We get a glimpse of it when we read this article.

In the Amazon lives a tribe that has no words for numbers. It transpires that because of this they cannot count, or at least are very limited in their ability to assess numbers.

The Pirahã, a hunter-gatherer tribe in the Brazilian Amazon, have only the concepts of one, two and many. A behavioural researcher tested whether or not they could understand the concepts of the different numbers without having words for them by lining up a number of batteries and asking the tribesmen to match the amount. They struggled when the amount was more than three and clearly did not have a natural understanding of numbers. (This is now the subject of hot debate among scientists).

Now what fascinates me is not only the fact that they had no concept of numbers but mainly that they got by very well without it. They just need to know that one is one and only alone and two is not alone and more than that is just many. What more is there?

It makes me wonder whether or not they have a concept of greed... And if not, does this imply that greed is related to being able to count? By the ability to see that someone has more than you by exact numbers?

If the Pirahã divide food they will probably not measure the exact amount of fruit, berries or bits of meat one individual has had. They will divide equally but without exactness. There is no need for exactness and therefore they cannot be exact. How then do they assess what is fair and what is not in measuring/counting terms? Or is this irrelevant to them?


What would their lives be like if they are taught numbers and how to count? Will it enrich their lives or irreparably change it? Will it make them more 'civilized'? More like us?

I hope they will never find out. If by now they have not had the need, they probably never will.