Prehension

The Hand and the Emergence of Humanity

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Prehension by Colin McGinn, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Colin McGinn ISBN: 9780262331050
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: August 14, 2015
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Colin McGinn
ISBN: 9780262331050
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: August 14, 2015
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

In praise of the hand: A philosopher considers the crucial role of the hand in human evolution, particularly with respect to language.

“McGinn is an ingenious philosopher who thinks like a laser and writes like a dream.”
—Steven Pinker

This book is a hymn to the hand. In Prehension, Colin McGinn links questions from science to philosophical concerns to consider something that we take for granted: the importance of the hand in everything we do. Drawing on evolutionary biology, anatomy, archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, among other disciplines, McGinn examines the role of the hand in shaping human evolution. He finds that the development of our capacity to grasp, to grip, to take hold (also known as prehension) is crucial in the emergence of Homo sapiens.

The human species possesses language, rational thought, culture, and a specific affective capacity; but there was a time when our ancestors had none of these. How did we become what we so distinctively are, given our early origins? McGinn, following Darwin and others, calls the hand the source of our biological success. When our remote ancestors descended from trees, they adopted a bipedal gait that left the hands free for other work; they began to make tools, which led to social cooperation and increased brain capacity. But McGinn goes further than others in arguing for the importance of the hand; he speculates that the hand played a major role in the development of language, and presents a theory of primitive reference as an outgrowth of prehension.

McGinn sings the praises of the hand, and evolution, in a philosophical key. He mixes biology, anthropology, analytical philosophy, existential philosophy, sheer speculation, and utter amazement to celebrate humans' achievement of humanity.

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

In praise of the hand: A philosopher considers the crucial role of the hand in human evolution, particularly with respect to language.

“McGinn is an ingenious philosopher who thinks like a laser and writes like a dream.”
—Steven Pinker

This book is a hymn to the hand. In Prehension, Colin McGinn links questions from science to philosophical concerns to consider something that we take for granted: the importance of the hand in everything we do. Drawing on evolutionary biology, anatomy, archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, among other disciplines, McGinn examines the role of the hand in shaping human evolution. He finds that the development of our capacity to grasp, to grip, to take hold (also known as prehension) is crucial in the emergence of Homo sapiens.

The human species possesses language, rational thought, culture, and a specific affective capacity; but there was a time when our ancestors had none of these. How did we become what we so distinctively are, given our early origins? McGinn, following Darwin and others, calls the hand the source of our biological success. When our remote ancestors descended from trees, they adopted a bipedal gait that left the hands free for other work; they began to make tools, which led to social cooperation and increased brain capacity. But McGinn goes further than others in arguing for the importance of the hand; he speculates that the hand played a major role in the development of language, and presents a theory of primitive reference as an outgrowth of prehension.

McGinn sings the praises of the hand, and evolution, in a philosophical key. He mixes biology, anthropology, analytical philosophy, existential philosophy, sheer speculation, and utter amazement to celebrate humans' achievement of humanity.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Hermeneutica by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Rogue Archives by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Plato's Revenge by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Programmed Inequality by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Chaos and Organization in Health Care by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Transparency in Global Environmental Governance by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Political Economics by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book What Is Architecture? by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Remaking the News by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Radical Fool of Capitalism by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Things That Keep Us Busy by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Reframing Rights by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book In 100 Years by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Vision by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Modeling and Simulating Software Architectures by Colin McGinn
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