Items related to The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence...

The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence Evolved from Our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans - Softcover

  • 3.87 out of 5 stars
    110 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780306814495: The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence Evolved from Our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans

Synopsis

In the childhood of every human being and at the dawn of human history there is an amazing and, until now, unexplained leap from simple genetically programmed behavior to language, symbolic thinking, and culture. In The First Idea, Stanley Greenspan and Stuart Shanker explore this missing link and offer brilliant new insights into two longstanding questions: how human beings first create symbols and how these abilities evolved and were transmitted across generations over millions of years. From fascinating research into the intelligence of both human infants and apes, they identify certain cultural practices that are vitally important if we are to have stable and reflective future societies.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., author of the widely used and praised books The Challenging Child and (with Serena Wieder, Ph.D.) Engaging Autism, is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School and lives in Bethesda, Maryland. Stuart G. Shanker, D.Phil., is Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Psychology at York University, in Toronto. At the forefront of research into ape and child language, his acclaimed books include Apes, Language and the Human Mind (with Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and Talbot Taylor) and Wittgenstein's Remarks on the Foundations of AI. Dr. Shanker's critiques of genetic determinist theories of human development have been the subject of television specials, including "The Today Show," "Discovery," and "The Pamela Wallin Show."

From Publishers Weekly

Noam Chomsky is the best-known advocate of the view that language skills are hardwired into our brains, and Steven Pinker made this argument in The Blank Slate. Authors Greenspan, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, and Shanker, an authority in child- and ape-language studies, completely reject this theory, claiming instead that our ability to reason is founded not on genetics but on emotional responses by infants to their environment, with emotional interactions forming the missing link in the development of symbols and language. In line with other recent research that ties cultural practices to areas of human development long held to be biologically determined, they maintain that symbolic thinking has been molded by cultural practices dating back to prehuman species. The authors trace the development of language skills and personality from birth to old age with a 16-stage hierarchy of what they call "functional emotional development capabilities" ranging from "Regulation and Interest in the Word" to "Wisdom of the Ages." In the last part of the book, they use these stages to examine major intellectual turning points and figures in history, such as the Greek philosophers, Descartes and Freud. This book should appeal most to readers working in psychology and child development, but its revolutionary ideas no doubt will lead to lively and well-publicized debates.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherGrand Central Publishing
  • Publication date2006
  • ISBN 10 0306814498
  • ISBN 13 9780306814495
  • BindingPaperback
  • LanguageEnglish
  • Number of pages504
  • Rating
    • 3.87 out of 5 stars
      110 ratings by Goodreads

Buy Used

Condition: Fair
Reading copy. May have signs of...
View this item

FREE shipping within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780738206806: The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, And Intelligence Evolved From Our Primate Ancestors To Modern Humans

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0738206806 ISBN 13:  9780738206806
Publisher: Da Capo Press, 2004
Hardcover

Search results for The First Idea: How Symbols, Language, and Intelligence...

Seller Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.; Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Softcover

Seller: -OnTimeBooks-, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: acceptable. Reading copy. May have signs of wear and previous use scuffs, library copy, highlighting, writing, and underlining . Dust jacket may be missing. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation, if youâre not satisfied with purchase.Ships USPS Media Mail. Seller Inventory # OTV.0306814498.A

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 8.39
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I., Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Softcover

Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 9661469-6

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 8.80
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Shanker, Stuart,Greenspan, Stanley I.
Published by Da Capo Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or limited writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_426888814

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.18
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Shanker, Stuart,Greenspan, Stanley I.
Published by Da Capo Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_299486387

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.18
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.,Shanker, Stuart
Published by Da Capo Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used paperback

Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_424565355

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 5.18
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.75
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.; Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.65. Seller Inventory # G0306814498I5N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.15
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.; Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.65. Seller Inventory # G0306814498I4N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.15
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.; Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.65. Seller Inventory # G0306814498I4N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.19
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Greenspan, Stanley I.; Shanker, Stuart
Published by Grand Central Publishing, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.65. Seller Inventory # G0306814498I5N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.19
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Shanker, Stuart,Greenspan, Stanley I.
Published by Da Capo Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0306814498 ISBN 13: 9780306814495
Used Paperback

Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_427373762

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 6.17
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.49
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

There are 25 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book