Description
Book Synopsis
Evolving the Mind has two main themes: how ideas about the mind evolved in science; and how the mind itself evolved in nature. The mind came into physical science when it was realised, first, that it is the activity of a physical object, a brain, which makes a mind; and secondly, that our theories of nature are largely mental constructions, artificial extensions of an inner model of the world which we inherited from our distant ancestors. From both of these perspectives, consciousness is the great enigma. If consciousness evolved, however, it is in some sense a material thing whatever else may be said of it. Physics, chemistry, molecular biology, brain function and evolutionary biology - almost the whole of science - is involved, and there can be no expert in all these fields. So the style of the book is simple, almost conversational. The excitement is that we seem to be close to a scientific theory of consciousness.
Trade Review
'A. G. Cairns-Smith is a brilliant explainer of difficult ideas, bringing to the task an imagination that is magnificently disciplined by detailed scientific understanding. He is also open-minded. His book will tantalize participants and onlookers of all persuasions.' Daniel C. Dennett, Nature
'… an absorbing book … an enjoyable and rewarding read: throw out a couple of thrillers and take it on holiday.' New Scientist
'Cairns-Smith has a story to tell and he does so, eloquently and well.' Susan Greenfield, The Times Higher Education Supplement
'Cairns-Smith offers a very intelligent human's guide to physics, molecular biology and neuroscience; on these he is both contemporary and more accurate than a cohort of Ph-doctored science newswriters. He deserves a new Nobel for Honest Communication.' Hilton Stowell, Journal of Consciousness Studies
Table of Contents
1. Material things; 2. Life; 3. Forms of intelligence; 4. Places in the brain; 5. Correlates of consciousness; 6. Dreaming aware; 7. Space time and substance; 8. Making theories; 9. Quantum theories of consciousness; 10. Conversation and coda; References; Index.
