Ум животных

by George John Romanes, Джордж Роменс

Роменс - английский натуралист, современник Ч.Дарвина и секретарь Линеевского Общества по отделу зоологии. Он одним из первых заявил, что многие животные обладают более высоким уровнем интеллекта, чем принято считать. Революционная идея Роменса заключалась в том, что многие мыслительные процессы высших животных похожи на человеческие. «Ум животных» - это первая книга Роменса о сравнительной психологии животных. Несмотря на научность повествования, текст читается легко и содержит массу любопытных фактов о жизни и поведении различных видов животных.

Genres: Science

536 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

About the author

Also published under the pseudonym of b>Physicus.

George John Romanes FRS (20 May 1848 – 23 May 1894) was a Canadian-English evolutionary biologist and physiologist who laid the foundation of what he called comparative psychology, postulating a similarity of cognitive processes and mechanisms between humans and other animals.

He was the youngest of Charles Darwin's academic friends, and his views on evolution are historically important. He invented the term neo-Darwinism, which is still often used today to indicate an updated form of Darwinism. Romanes' early death was a loss to the cause of evolutionary biology in Britain. Within six years Mendel's work was rediscovered, and a whole new agenda opened up for debate.

Reviews

[El ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a darwinian, Romanes has great insight into the consciousness of animals and the difference between higher/lower animals. His discussion on feeling, emotion and sensation situations the dog as a conscious and understanding being, far greater than we previously imagined. It is a shame he had a vivid interest in vivisection, yet his work cannot be underscored by this remark.