Figments of reality : the evolution of the curious mind

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Bibliographic Information

Figments of reality : the evolution of the curious mind

Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen

Cambridge University Press, 1999

  • : paperback

Available at  / 3 libraries

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Note

First paperback edition, 1999

Includes bibliographical references (p. 313-316) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Is the universe around us a figment of our imagination? Or are our minds figments of reality? In this refreshing new look at the evolution of mind and culture, bestselling authors Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen eloquently argue that our minds necessarily evolved inextricably within the context of culture and language. They go beyond conventional reductionist ideas to look at how the mind is the response of an evolving brain trying to grapple with a complex environment. Along the way they develop new and intriguing insights into the nature of evolution, science and humanity.

Table of Contents

  • 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.

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