Is there an explanation how two completely unrelated individuals that do not know each other can come up with the exact same idea? How does it work?

Question

Is there an explanation how two completely unrelated individuals that do not know each other can come up with the exact same idea? How does it work?

In: Other

Answer 1

In science it’s referred to as multiple discovery, or simultaneous invention. The basic idea is that everyone has access to the same prior knowledge made by others, and are building upon it using the same tools.

It’s not really that rare. Consider basic tools and weapons such as spears, bows and arrows, axes, and swords, which were all invented by different cultures and societies that had no prior contact with each other.

EDIT: Many civilizations also independently discovered/created writing.

Broadly speaking, we’re all the same species, living in the same world, using the same tools (our brains) to make the same observations and discover the same things.