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Picturing the Mind: Consciousness through the Lens of Evolution
Consciousness in all its possible human and nonhuman varieties, explored through words and images.
What is consciousness, and who (or what) is conscious—humans, nonhumans, nonliving beings? How did consciousness evolve? Picturing the Mind pursues these questions through a series of “vistas”—short, engaging texts by Simona Ginsburg and Eva Jablonka, accompanied by Anna Zeligowski’s lively illustrations. Taking an evolutionary perspective, Ginsburg and Jablonka suggest that consciousness can take many forms and is found not only in humans but even in such animals as octopuses (who seem to express emotions by changing color) and bees (who socialize with other bees). They identify the possible evolutionary marker of the transition from nonconscious to conscious animals, and they speculate intriguingly about aliens and artificial intelligence.
Each picture and text serves as a starting point for discussion. The authors consider, among other things, what it’s like to be a bat (and then later, what it’s like to be a bat in virtual reality); ask if the self is like a hole in a doughnut; report that women, children, and nonwhite men were once thought by white men to be less richly conscious; and explore what sets humans apart—is it music, toolmaking, cooperative parenting, blushing, sentience, symbolic language? In Picturing the Mind , questions suggest answers.
What is consciousness, and who (or what) is conscious—humans, nonhumans, nonliving beings? How did consciousness evolve? Picturing the Mind pursues these questions through a series of “vistas”—short, engaging texts by Simona Ginsburg and Eva Jablonka, accompanied by Anna Zeligowski’s lively illustrations. Taking an evolutionary perspective, Ginsburg and Jablonka suggest that consciousness can take many forms and is found not only in humans but even in such animals as octopuses (who seem to express emotions by changing color) and bees (who socialize with other bees). They identify the possible evolutionary marker of the transition from nonconscious to conscious animals, and they speculate intriguingly about aliens and artificial intelligence.
Each picture and text serves as a starting point for discussion. The authors consider, among other things, what it’s like to be a bat (and then later, what it’s like to be a bat in virtual reality); ask if the self is like a hole in a doughnut; report that women, children, and nonwhite men were once thought by white men to be less richly conscious; and explore what sets humans apart—is it music, toolmaking, cooperative parenting, blushing, sentience, symbolic language? In Picturing the Mind , questions suggest answers.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 17, 2022
Lem's Solaris helps us recognize the limits, possibilities, and transformations of our own minds. How will the study of consciousness change during the next five hundred years as scientists, novelists, and artists reimagine consciousness?
'We observe a fraction of the process, like hearing a vibration of a single string in an orchestra of supergiants. We know, but cannot grasp, that above and below, beyond the limits of perception or imagination, thousands and millions of simultaneous transformations are at work, interlinked like a musical score by mathematical counterpoint. It has been described as symphony in geometry, but we lack the ears to hear it.'
'We observe a fraction of the process, like hearing a vibration of a single string in an orchestra of supergiants. We know, but cannot grasp, that above and below, beyond the limits of perception or imagination, thousands and millions of simultaneous transformations are at work, interlinked like a musical score by mathematical counterpoint. It has been described as symphony in geometry, but we lack the ears to hear it.'
December 16, 2022
Ginsburg and Jablonka take us on an unforgettable journey through some of the toughest questions that have always occupied humankind: What's consciousness? How did it evolve? What makes human consciousness unique?
Their approach is refreshing and - yes - fun. They will walk you through the thoughts and ideas of some of our greatest philosophers and scientists; they will lead you through stories, riddles, anecdotes and magnificent works of art by the incredible Anna Zeligowski, explaining complex and advanced concepts in a way that everyone can enjoy.
This book really opened my mind and made me think, and I was left inspired and excited. A very warm recommendation.
Their approach is refreshing and - yes - fun. They will walk you through the thoughts and ideas of some of our greatest philosophers and scientists; they will lead you through stories, riddles, anecdotes and magnificent works of art by the incredible Anna Zeligowski, explaining complex and advanced concepts in a way that everyone can enjoy.
This book really opened my mind and made me think, and I was left inspired and excited. A very warm recommendation.
December 19, 2022
I read this book as a challenge to myself. I wasn't sure what the style of art could contribute to the subject of the book.
I still don't know. The art is not a type I appreciate. Sometimes that is enough to learn.
On the other hand, the authors really delved deep into their subject, and I learned quite a lot. I have much more in my toolbox to apply to ethical issues, and much more internal development to encourage.
I still don't know. The art is not a type I appreciate. Sometimes that is enough to learn.
On the other hand, the authors really delved deep into their subject, and I learned quite a lot. I have much more in my toolbox to apply to ethical issues, and much more internal development to encourage.
August 28, 2024
.הספר כולל נושאים מענינים אבל לדעתי לא כתוב כל כך טוב. יותר מדי נקודות שהקשר ביניהן לא תמיד חלק. המשפטים ארוכים מדי.
הציורים גם לא הוסיפו לי דבר והיוו עוד מעצור בין הנקודות.
התלבטתי בין 2 כוכבים ל 3 כוכבים
הציורים גם לא הוסיפו לי דבר והיוו עוד מעצור בין הנקודות.
התלבטתי בין 2 כוכבים ל 3 כוכבים
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews