Animal Architects

Building and the Evolution of Intelligence

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution
Cover of the book Animal Architects by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould, Basic Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould ISBN: 9780465028399
Publisher: Basic Books Publication: March 6, 2012
Imprint: Basic Books Language: English
Author: James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
ISBN: 9780465028399
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication: March 6, 2012
Imprint: Basic Books
Language: English

Animal behavior has long been a battleground between the competing claims of nature and nurture, with the possible role of cognition in behavior as a recent addition to this debate. There is an untapped trove of behavioral data that can tell us a great deal about how the animals draw from these neural strategies: The structures animals build provide a superb window on the workings of the animal mind. Animal Architects examines animal architecture across a range of species, from those whose blueprints are largely innate (such as spiders and their webs) to those whose challenging structures seem to require intellectual insight, planning, and even aesthetics (such as bowerbirds' nests, or beavers' dams). Beginning with instinct and the simple homes of solitary insects, James and Carol Gould move on to conditioning; the “cognitive map” and how it evolved; and the role of planning and insight. Finally, they reflect on what animal building tells us about the nature of human intelligence-showing why humans, unlike many animals, need to build castles in the air.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Animal behavior has long been a battleground between the competing claims of nature and nurture, with the possible role of cognition in behavior as a recent addition to this debate. There is an untapped trove of behavioral data that can tell us a great deal about how the animals draw from these neural strategies: The structures animals build provide a superb window on the workings of the animal mind. Animal Architects examines animal architecture across a range of species, from those whose blueprints are largely innate (such as spiders and their webs) to those whose challenging structures seem to require intellectual insight, planning, and even aesthetics (such as bowerbirds' nests, or beavers' dams). Beginning with instinct and the simple homes of solitary insects, James and Carol Gould move on to conditioning; the “cognitive map” and how it evolved; and the role of planning and insight. Finally, they reflect on what animal building tells us about the nature of human intelligence-showing why humans, unlike many animals, need to build castles in the air.

More books from Basic Books

Cover of the book Beyond Infinity by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Anatomy Of A Rose by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book A Time to Every Purpose by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book One Renegade Cell by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book The Spirit of Vatican II by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Branded by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Left at the Altar by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Sun Moon Earth by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Creating Minds by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Caliphate by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book King John by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Lying On The Couch by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book Unchained Memories by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book 1812 by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
Cover of the book The Jane Addams Reader by James L. Gould, Carol Grant Gould
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy