The Descent of MindPsychological Perspectives on Hominid Evolution

Abstract

Abstract To most people, it seems obvious that there are major mental differences between humans and other species, but there is considerable debate over exactly how special our minds are, in what respects, and which the critical evolutionary events that have shaped us were. Some researchers claim language as a solely human, even defining, attribute, while others claim that only humans are truly conscious. These questions have been explored mainly by archaeologists and anthropologists until recently, but this volume aims to show what psychologists have to say on the evolution of mind. The book begins with a thorough overview of what is known of the non-primate mind and its evolution. Following this, is a discussion of the human mind at various stages of evolution, beginning with the pre-hominids of twenty million years ago and ending with contemporary human behaviour. The book provides a range of answers to the question of what it means to be human.

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