How Homo Became Sapiens: On the evolution of thinking

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How Homo Became Sapiens: On the evolution of thinking Author: Format: Paperback / softback First Published: Published By: Oxford University Press
string(3) "256"
Pages: 256 Illustrations and other contents: numerous line illustrations Language: English ISBN: 9780198528517 Categories: , , ,

Our ability to think is one of our most puzzling characteristics. What it would be like to be unable to think? What would it be like to lack self-awareness? The complexity of this activity is striking. Thinking involves the interaction of a range of mental processes – attention, emotion, memory, planning, self-consciousness, free will, and language. So where did these processes arise? What evolutionary advantages were bestowed upon those with an ability to deceive, to plan, to empathize, or to understand the intentions of others? In this compelling work, Peter Gardenfors embarks on an evolutionary detective story to try and solve one of the big mysteries surrounding human existence – how has the modern human being’s way of thinking come into existence. He starts by taking in turn the more basic cognitive processes, such as attention and memory, then builds upon these to explore more complex behaviours, such as self-consciousness, mindreading, and imitation. Having done this, he examines the consequences of “putting thought into the world”, using external media like cave paintings, drawings and writing. Immensely readable and humorous, the book will be valuable for students in psychology and biology, whilst remaining accessible to readers of popular science.

Weight0.397 kg
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Gardenfors presents a wealth of thought-provoking information and discussion, with a well-argued viewpoint, in a clear style. * JBE, Vol. 40, No. 4 * . . . well written and admirably succinct. Although it has an argument to make, it does so in a fair and evenhanded way. This would make a good introduction for anyone venturing into the evolution of mind literature for the first time. * Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 79, No 4 *