From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds

by Daniel C. Dennett

the discredited mantra from the 1960s: boys and girls are “biologically” the same; all differences are due to socialization and other cultural pressures. That is politically correct nonsense. Male and female brains are not exactly alike. How could they be, given the differences in paternal and maternal biological roles? There are dozens of reliably detectable differences of neuroanatomy, hormonal balance, and other physiological signs, and their genetic sources are not in doubt. Moreover, these physical differences issue in differences in cognitive and emotional competence and style that are statistically significant (see, e.g., Baron-Cohen 2003). But there is plenty of variation between women, and between men, so some women excel at tasks that mostly men excel at, and vice versa. Besides, we’re asking what