How Homo Became Sapiens : On the evolution of thinking: On the evolution of thinking - Couverture souple

G\xe4rdenfors, Peter

 
9780198528517: How Homo Became Sapiens : On the evolution of thinking: On the evolution of thinking
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 0198528515 ISBN 13 : 9780198528517
Editeur : OUP Oxford, 2006

Synopsis

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 Gärdenfors 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.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

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 Gärdenfors 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.

Revue de presse

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)

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
OUP Oxford
Date d'édition
2006
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0198528515
ISBN 13 
9780198528517
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
250
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie
ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it

Via Verdi, 8
Assago Milano
20090
Italie

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9780198528500: How Homo Became Sapiens: On the Evolution of Thinking

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  0198528507 ISBN 13 :  9780198528500
Editeur : Oxford University Press, 2003
Couverture rigide