Other Minds

What if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?

Informationen zum Autor Peter Godfrey-Smith Klappentext The distinguished philosopher of science and scuba diver Peter Godfrey-Smith proposes a differing narrative of nature achieving self-awareness, with the octopus at its centre instead of the usual emphasis on the development of mammals. By unpacking how such a solitary creature attained such an unusual degree of intelligence, "Other Minds" casts new light on the workings of the minds of humans as well as cephalopods.

Autorentext

Peter Godfrey-Smith

Klappentext

The distinguished philosopher of science and scuba diver Peter Godfrey-Smith proposes a differing narrative of nature achieving self-awareness, with the octopus at its centre instead of the usual emphasis on the development of mammals. By unpacking how such a solitary creature attained such an unusual degree of intelligence, "Other Minds" casts new light on the workings of the minds of humans as well as cephalopods.

Zusammenfassung

Praise for Other Minds:

'Entrancing and profound' Financial Times

'A superb, coruscating book' Literary Review

'Startlingly incisive ... refreshing guidance' New York Times

'The beauty of Godfrey-Smith's book lies in the clarity of his writing; his empathy, if you will. He takes us through those early stirrings in the seas of deep time, from bacteria that sense light and can taste, to cnidarian jellyfish, the first organisms to exhibit nervous systems, which he describes wonderfully.' Philip Hoare, Guardian

'Fascinating and often delightful ... This book ingeniously blends philosophy and science to trace the epic journey from single-celled organisms of 3.8 billion years ago to the awakening and development of cephalopod consciousness.' The Times

'As poignant as anything you will read this year' Mail on Sunday

'In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher, skilfully combines science, philosophy and his experiences of swimming among these tentacled beasts to illuminate the origin and nature of consciousness.' The Economist

'A delight on so many levels' Dive magazine

'To investigate these astonishing animals with such empathy and rigour is achievement enough. To do so while casting light on the birth and nature of consciousness, as Peter Godfrey-Smith does here, is captivating.' China Miéville, author of Kraken

'I love this book, its masterful blend of natural history, philosophy, and wonder ... It's a captivating story, and Peter Godfrey-Smith brings it alive in vivid, elegant prose ... A must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the mind - ours and the very other, but equally sentient, minds of the cephalopods.' Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds