Other minds : the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life

Resource Information

The work Other minds : the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Other minds : the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life

Title remainder

the octopus and the evolution of intelligent life

Statement of responsibility

Peter Godfrey-Smith

Creator

• Godfrey-Smith, Peter

Subject

• Animal communication -- Evolution
• Consciousness
• Octopuses -- Behavior
• Philosophy
• Philosophy and science

Language

eng

Summary

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

Cataloging source

StDuBDS

Dewey number

• 128.2
• 128.2

Illustrations

• illustrations
• plates

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography