Author Description
Where does consciousness come from? What is it? Where is it taking us?In 1971 Nicholas Humphrey spent three months at Dian Fossey's gorilla research centre in Rwanda. It was there, among the mountain gorillas that he began to focus on the philosophical and scientific puzzle that has fascinated him ever since: the problem of how a human being or animal can know what it is like to be itself. The Inner Eye describes where these original speculations led: to Humphrey's now celebrated theories of the 'social function of intellect' and of human beings as natural born 'mind-readers'. Easy to read, adorned with Mel Calman's brilliant illustrations, passionately argued, yet never less than scientifically profound, this book remains the best introduction to new thinking about 'theory of mind' and its implication for human social life.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the evolutionary origins of consciousness and the specific social functions that necessitated the development of human intellect. Nicholas Humphrey, a psychologist and primatologist, draws upon his field research with mountain gorillas and his background in cognitive science to argue that consciousness evolved as a tool for social navigation. He posits that humans are natural 'mind-readers' whose internal awareness is a byproduct of the need to predict and interpret the behavior of others within complex social groups.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- The 'social function of intellect' hypothesis regarding primate brain evolution
- Theoretical frameworks for 'theory of mind' and self-awareness
- Observations from field research conducted at Dian Fossey's gorilla research center
- Analysis of the evolutionary advantages of subjective experience
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a comprehensive neurobiological mapping of the brain
- Does not address non-social theories of consciousness in depth
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the social origins of cognition and consciousness. Readers frequently note that the prose remains accessible to non-specialists while maintaining significant scientific depth.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
2003-02-13
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192802445
ISBN-13:
9780192802446
Psychology
Philosophy of
Intellect
Evolutionary Biology
Consciousness
Thought And Thinking