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How the Mind Works
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Why do we laugh?
What makes memories fade?
Why do people believe in ghosts?
How the Mind Works explores every aspect of mental life, showing that our minds are not a mystery, but a system of organs of computation designed by natural selection.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker delves into the intricate workings of the human mind, presenting a comprehensive exploration of mental life. Pinker, a renowned cognitive scientist, argues that our minds are not enigmatic but rather intricate systems of computational organs shaped by natural selection. This thought-provoking book examines key aspects of human cognition, including vision, emotion, language, and social relations. By blending psychology, cognitive science, and evolutionary biology, Pinker provides remarkable insights into how our minds allow us to see, think, feel, interact, and engage in higher pursuits such as art, religion, and philosophy.
Presented with extraordinary lucidity, cogency, and panache, How the Mind Works offers a powerful and gripping analysis of the human psyche. To read this book is akin to consulting a first draft of the structural blueprint of the human mind. Pinker's meticulously researched arguments and evocative explanations make this work a glittering tour de force.
"Presented with extraordinary lucidity, cogency and panache... Powerful and gripping... To have read the book is to have consulted a first draft of the structural plan of the human psyche... a glittering tour de force" - Spectator
Why do memories fade? Why do we lose our tempers? Why do fools fall in love? In this erudite account, Pinker explores the nature and history of the human mind, addressing such questions by examining the computations and evolutionary processes that shape mental functions. He considers the mind's ability to let us perceive the world, reason, experience emotions, interact socially, and pursue higher callings like art, religion, and philosophy.
"Why do memories fade? Why do we lose our tempers? Why do fools fall in love? Pinker's objective in this erudite account is to explore the nature and history of the human mind... He explores computations and evolutions, and then considers how the mind lets us 'see, think, feel, interact, and pursue higher callings like art, religion and philosophy'" - Sunday Times
Whether you are a student of psychology, a science enthusiast, or simply curious about the workings of the human mind, How the Mind Works provides a compelling and accessible guide to understanding the marvels of our cognitive abilities.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker is praised for its powerful and gripping exploration of the human psyche, described as a first draft of its structural plan. Reviewers commend its witty and engaging writing, noting that it makes scientific concepts enjoyable to read. The book has been said to have a transformative effect on how readers think.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141980782
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 April 2015
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: Adult education
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 28.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 467g
Pages: 688
About the Author
Steven Pinker is one of the world's most influential thinkers and writers on the human condition. His popular and highly praised books include The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, The Stuff of Thought, The Blank Slate, How the Mind Works, and The Language Instinct. The recipient of several major awards for his teaching, books, and scientific research, Pinker is Harvard College Professor and Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He also writes frequently for The New York Times, the Guardian and other publications. He has been named Humanist of the Year, Prospect magazine's "The World's Top 100 Public Intellectuals," Foreign Policy's "100 Global Thinkers," and Time magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World Today."
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