Darwin's Unfinished Symphony

How Culture Made the Human Mind

Kevin N. Lala

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Paperback

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English

Princeton University Pres
19 November 2018

Cognition & cognitive psychology; Mathematics & Sciences; Evolution

Humans possess an extraordinary capacity for culture, from the arts and language to science and technology. But how did the human mind - and the uniquely human ability to devise and transmit culture - evolve from its roots in animal behavior? Darwin's Unfinished Symphony presents a captivating new theory of human cognitive evolution. This compelling and accessible book reveals how culture is not just the magnificent end product of an evolutionary process that produced a species unlike all others - it is also the key driving force behind that process. Kevin Laland tells the story of the painstaking fieldwork, the key experiments, the false leads, and the stunning scientific breakthroughs that led to this new understanding of how culture transformed human evolution. It is the story of how Darwin's intellectual descendants picked up where he left off and took up the challenge of providing a scientific account of the evolution of the human mind.

By: Kevin N. Lala
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 155mm,
ISBN: 9780691182810
ISBN 10: 0691182817
Pages: 464
Publication Date: 19 November 2018
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Kevin N. Laland is professor of behavioral and evolutionary biology at the University of St Andrews. His books include Social Learning: An Introduction to Mechanisms, Methods, and Models and Niche Construction: The Neglected Process in Evolution (both Princeton).

Reviews for Darwin's Unfinished Symphony: How Culture Made the Human Mind

[A]n enjoyable and valuable place to begin or to top up your understanding of our enigmatic existence. --Mark Pagel, New Scientist The best account yet. A richly rewarding and powerfully argued book. --Steven Rose, Times Higher Education Under [Kevin] Laland's sophisticated interpretation, cultural innovations did not merely respond to environmental challenges but also helped create the elaborate surroundings within which natural selection made us what we are today. --David Barash, Wall Street Journal Darwin's Unfinished Symphony makes a compelling case that elegantly seats humans within the natural world, while at the same time explaining our peculiar uniqueness. --Joseph Henrich, Science Darwin would be proud. --Nicola Clayton, University of Cambridge and Scientist in Residence at Rambert, UK Brilliant. --Judy Siegel-Itzkovich, Jerusalem Post Truly impressive. --Louise Barrett, author of Beyond the Brain: How Body and Environment Shape Animal and Human Minds Selected for Askblog's Books of the year 2017 One of Forbes.com's 10 Best Biology Books of 2017, chosen by GrrlScientist Winner of the 2017 British Psychological Society Book Awards, Best Academic Monograph

Commended for Askblog's Books of the year 2017 2017
Short-listed for 2017 British Psychological Society Book Awards, Best Academic Monograph 2017
Short-listed for Forbes.com's 10 Best Biology Books of 2017, chosen by GrrlScientist 2017