Items related to Why Think?: Evolution and the Rational Mind
Synopsis
Why Think? What, exactly, is the evolutionary purpose of thinking? In this short and accessible book, Ronald de Sousa shows that in order to understand what is truly important about our reasoning capacity, we need to change our thinking about what rationality actually is. Rationality is not just a way of figuring out the world and acting efficiently in a changing environment; it is the wellspring for our emotions, our imagination, and most importantly, our faculty for language--a faculty which allows us to disagree with each other and develop our own, sometimes conflicting, individual value systems. While this may be inefficient, it is also what ultimately makes us human and explains our startling success.
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About the Author
Ronald de Sousa grew up in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. After completing school in France, he obtained a B.A. from Oxford, and a Ph.D. from Princeton. Based at the University of Toronto, he has lectured in over twenty countries on the emotions, philosophy of biology, ethics, and aesthetics. He lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter.
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Why Think? : Evolution and the Rational Mind
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Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2011
ISBN 10: 0199861587
ISBN 13: 9780199861583
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Why Think?: Evolution and the Rational Mind
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ISBN 10: 0199861587
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Why Think?: Evolution and the Rational Mind (eng)
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Why Think?: Evolution And The Rational Mind
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ISBN 10: 0199861587
ISBN 13: 9780199861583
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Condition: New. In this short but wide-ranging book, philosopher Ronald de Sousa looks at the twin set of issues surrounding the power of natural selection to mimic rational design, and rational thinking as itself a product of natural selection. Num Pages: 200 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: HPM; PSAJ. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 176 x 129 x 20. Weight in Grams: 178. . 2011. 1st Edition. paperback. . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780199861583
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Why Think?
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ISBN 10: 0199861587
ISBN 13: 9780199861583
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Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: New. In a world where natural selection has shaped adaptations of astonishing ingenuity, what is the scope and unique power of rational thinking?In this short but wide-ranging book, philosopher Ronald de Sousa looks at the twin set of issues surrounding the power of natural selection to mimic rational design, and rational thinking as itself a product of natural selection.While we commonly deem ourselves superior to other species, the logic of natural selection should not lead us to expect that nature does everything for the best. Similarly, rational action does not always promote the best possible outcomes. So what is the difference? Is the pursuit of rationality actually an effective strategy?Part of the answer lies in language, including mathematics and science. Language is the most striking device by which we have made ourselves smarter than our nearest primate cousins. Sometimes the purely instinctual responses we share with other animals put explicit reasoning to shame: the movements of a trained athlete are faster and more accurate than anything she could explicitly calculate. Language, however, with its power to abstract from concrete experience and to range over all aspects of nature, enables breathtakingly precise calculations, which have taken us to the moon and beyond. Most importantly, however, language enables us to formulate an endless multiplicity of values, in potential conflict with one another as well as with instinctual imperatives.In short, this sophisticated and entertaining book shows how our rationality and our irrationality are inextricably intertwined. Ranging over a wide array of evidence, it explores the true ramifications of being human in the natural world."This is a delightful book, in which de Sousa articulates some challenging convictions concerning the role of rationality in human thought, while also retaining and making deft use of some of his longest held views. Why Think? is an important touchstone in helping us to understand how we can approach rationality as a phenomenon that must ultimately be part of a successful theory of mind."--Craig DeLancy, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"De Sousa remarks: 'When enough people share a delusion, it loses its status as a psychosis and gets a religious tax exemption instead.' At that point, I knew I was going to love this book--and it is indeed a lot of fun. Why Think? is also good and clever. I have always said that the reason why philosophers are so disliked on university campuses is that we are brighter than anyone else and have trouble concealing the fact. Ronnie de Sousa does nothing to change this perception. This is a great little book that should be read by many people." --Michael Ruse, Florida State University, Literary Review of Canada"Why Think? is Ronnie de Sousa at his brilliant best-- immensely learned, witty, bold, and a model of clarity. This book is a timely balance to the weight of data emphasizing the emotions and nonconscious processing in decision-ma. Seller Inventory # LU-9780199861583
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Why Think? : Evolution and the Rational Mind
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2011
ISBN 10: 0199861587
ISBN 13: 9780199861583
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Why Think?: Evolution And The Rational Mind
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ISBN 10: 0199861587
ISBN 13: 9780199861583
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Condition: New. In this short but wide-ranging book, philosopher Ronald de Sousa looks at the twin set of issues surrounding the power of natural selection to mimic rational design, and rational thinking as itself a product of natural selection. Num Pages: 200 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: HPM; PSAJ. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 176 x 129 x 20. Weight in Grams: 178. . 2011. 1st Edition. paperback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # V9780199861583