Planning and problem solving in well-defined domains

The ability to plan differentiates us from most other animals (Tomasello & Call, 1997). In particular, the idea that we can imagine what the future might look like and how our actions may impact upon imagined states of affairs that constitute this future must provide humans with a huge evolutionary advantage (Benson, 1993). Moreover, such abilities are implicated in larger philosophical questions including the nature of conscious experience and free will.