If Nietzsche were a narwhal : what animal intelligence reveals about human stupidity
Gregg, Justin2022
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What if human intelligence is actually more of a liability than a gift? After all, the animal kingdom, in all its diversity, gets by just fine without it. At first glance, human history is full of remarkable feats of intelligence, yet human exceptionalism can be a double-edged sword. With our unique cognitive prowess comes severe consequences, including existential angst, violence, discrimination, and the creation of a world teetering towards climate catastrophe. What if human exceptionalism is more of a curse than a blessing? As Justin Gregg puts it, there's an evolutionary reason why human intelligence isn't more prevalent in the animal kingdom. Simply put, non-human animals don't need it to be successful. And, miraculously, their success arrives without the added baggage of destroying themselves and the planet in the process. In seven mind-bending and hilarious chapters, Gregg highlights features seemingly unique to humans - our use of language, our rationality, our moral systems, our so-called sophisticated consciousness - and compares them to our animal brethren. What emerges is both demystifying and remarkable, and will change how you look at animals, humans, and the meaning of life itself.
Main title:
Author:
Gregg, Justin, author
Imprint:
London : Hodder & Stoughton, 2022.©2022
Collation:
308 pages ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
The why specialists: a story of hats, bets, and chicken buttsTo be honest: the power and pitfalls of lyingDeath wisdom: the downside of knowing the futureThe gay albatross around our necks: the problem with human moralityThe mystery of the happy bee: it's time to talk about the "c" wordPrognostic myopia: our shortsighted farsightednessHuman exceptionalism: are we winning?Epilogue: why save a slug?
ISBN:
97813997125079781399712507
Dewey class:
591.513
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
523858
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Library | Adult Non Fiction - Animals | 591.513 GRE | Onloan - Due: 13 Oct 2024 |