Other minds : the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life
Godfrey-Smith, Peter2018
Books, Manuscripts
Mammals and birds are widely seen as the smartest creatures on earth. But one other branch of the tree of life has also sprouted surprising intelligence: the cephalopods, consisting of the squid, the cuttlefish, and above all the octopus. New research shows that these creatures display remarkable gifts. What does it mean that intelligence on Earth has evolved not once but twice? Combining science and philosophy, Godfrey-Smith shows how primitive organisms bobbing in the ocean began sending signals to each other and how these early forms of communication gave rise to the advanced nervous systems that permit cephalopods to change colours and human beings to speak. By tracing the problem of consciousness back to its roots and comparing the human brain to its most alien and perhaps most remarkable animal relative, Godfrey-Smith's 'Other Minds' sheds new light on one of our most abiding mysteries.
Main title:
Other minds : the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life / Peter Godfrey-Smith.
Author:
Godfrey-Smith, Peter, author
Imprint:
London : William Collins, 2018.
Collation:
xii, 255 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (black and white, and colour) ; 20 cm
Notes:
Originally published: New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016.Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:
9780008226299 (pbk)
Dewey class:
128.2128.2 GOD128.2
Local class:
128.2
Language:
English
BRN:
2623676
Bookmark link:
More Information: