Author Description

What Makes Humans Cognitively Unique-and Why Are They Unique In These Ways? These Are Interesting Questions Not Just Because We Are Humans, But Also Because We Have An Outsize Influence On The Planet As A Whole. To Answer Them, The Book Begins By Providing A Clearer Characterization Of The Nature Of Human Cognitive Uniqueness: It Sets Out And Justifies An Inventory Of Key Features Of Distinctively Human Cognition. On This Basis, The Book Assesses The Major Existing Theories Seeking To Explain Distinctively Human Thought From Across The Cognitive, Social, And Human Sciences, And Argues That A New Account Is Needed That Bridges Nativist And Learning-based Approaches. It Then Presents Exactly Such An Account. At The Heart Of This Account Is A Positive Feedback Loop That Links Evolved Representations, Forms Of Cultural Learning, And Technology. With The Help Of This Feedback Loop, Key Examples Of Uniquely Human Cognition Can Be Explained: Distinctively Human Mindreading, Distinctively Human Moral Cognition, And The Distinctively Human Propensity For Trade-- Provided By Publisher.