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> The theory is that they don't know that there are entities that know things they don't.

This seems like a rather awkward way of putting it. They may just lack conceptualization or abstraction, making the above statement meaningless.

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The exact title of the capacity is 'theory of mind' - for example, chimpanzees have a limited capacity for it in that they can understand others' intentions, but they seemingly do not understand false beliefs (this is what GP mentioned).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.02.010

Theory of mind is a distinct concept that isn't necessary to explain this behavior. Of course, it may follow naturally, but it strikes me as ham-fisted projection of our own cognition onto others. Ironically, a rather greedy theory of mind!

If apes started communicating mongs themselves with sign-language they learned from humans that would measn they would get more practice using it and they could evolve it over aeons. Hey, isn't that what actually happened?

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