Paco Calvo is Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Minimal Intelligence Lab (MINTLab) in the University of Murcia, Spain, where his research is primarily in exploring and experimenting with the possibility of plant intelligence. In his research at?MINTLab, he studies the ecological basis of plant intelligence by conducting experimental studies at the intersection of plant neurobiology and ecological psychology. He has given many talks on the topic of plant intelligence to academic and non-academic audiences around the world during the last decade. Natalie Lawrence is a writer with a PhD in History of Science and a MSc in History of Science, MCantab in Zoology from the University of Cambridge. Her work has appeared in BBC Wildlife, Aeon Magazine, Public Domain Review, The Learned Pig, as well as on her blog, The Manticore.
Are plants conscious? Before you say no, read this fascinating new book -- Michael Pollan, author of THIS IS YOUR MIND ON PLANTS Calvo has a wonderfully infectious enthusiasm for his subject that makes this book, for all its complex science, a joy to read. He challenges us to set aside our 'zoocentric' perspective and to change our view of plants radically: from mechanisms akin to robots to complex organisms with a range of behaviours, responding to and anticipating their environments. In doing so, he has written a genuinely mind-expanding book -- Book of the Day * Guardian * PLANTA SAPIENS is [a] bold and brave paean to our planet's ligneous, leafy kingdom. I mostly relished the intellectual interrogation, the maverick thinking, and add my voice to his call to think beyond our prejudices and our anthropocentric indoctrination * Daily Telegraph * PLANTA SAPIENS presents 'fertile possibilities' to the public and in doing so it has put science on notice ... We should be delighted with Professor Calvo's seeding of scientific curiosity for the hope that it offers -- Diana Beresford-Kroeger, author of TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES An impressive exploration and dazzling insight into the lives of plants * Reaction Book Digest * An important book * Observer *