Figments of Reality: The Evolution of the Curious Mind

ISBN-13: 9780521663830 / Angielski / Miękka / 1999 / 340 str.

Jack Cohen; Ian Stewart

Opis

Peppered with wit and controversial topics, this is a refreshing new look at the co-evolution of mind and culture. Bestselling authors Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen (The Collapse of Chaos, 1994) eloquently argue that our minds evolved within an inextricable link with culture and language. They go beyond conventional views of the function and purpose of the mind to look at the ways that the mind is the response of an evolving brain that is constantly adjusting to a complex environment. Along the way they develop new and intriguing insights into the nature of evolution, science, and humanity that will challenge conventional views on consciousness. The esteemed authors tantalize the reader with these bold new outlooks while putting a revolutionary spin on such classic philosophical problems as the nature of free will and the essence of humanity. This clearly written and enjoyable book will inspire any educated reader to critically evaluate the existing notions of the nature of the human mind.

Recenzje

'I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in events beyond our daily lives.' Rosalind Ramsey, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Spis treści

Preface; Prologue; 1. The origins of life; 2. The reductionist nightmare; 3. Ant country; 4. Winning ways; 5. Universals and parochials; 6. Neural nests; 7. Features great and small; 8. What is it like to be a human?; 9. We wanted to have a chapter on free will, but we decided not to, so here it is; 10. Extelligence; 11. Simplex, complex, multiplex; Epilogue; Notes; Further reading; Index.