Figments of Reality
The Evolution of the Curious Mind

Popular science tour de force from bestselling authors, on evolution of intelligence, culture and mind.

Ian Stewart (Author), Jack Cohen (Author)

9780521571555, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 July 1997

340 pages, 35 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.8 cm, 0.71 kg

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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Popular science [PDZ]