Title
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness,Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
Philosopher Peter GodfreySmith dons a wet suit and journeys into the depths of consciousness in Other MindsAlthough mammals and birds are widely regarded as the smartest creatures on earth, it has lately become clear that a very distant branch of the tree of life has also sprouted higher intelligence: the cephalopods, consisting of the squid, the cuttlefish, and above all the octopus. In captivity, octopuses have been known to identify individual human keepers, raid neighboring tanks for food, turn off lightbulbs by spouting jets of water, plug drains, and make daring escapes. How is it that a creature with such gifts evolved through an evolutionary lineage so radically distant from our own? What does it mean that evolution built minds not once but at least twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?In Other Minds, Peter GodfreySmith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how subjective experience crept into beinghow nature became aware of itself. As GodfreySmith stresses, it is a story that largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared. Tracking the minds fitful development, GodfreySmith shows how unruly clumps of seaborne cells began living together and became capable of sensing, acting, and signaling. As these primitive organisms became more entangled with others, they grew more complicated. The first nervous systems evolved, probably in ancient relatives of jellyfish; later on, the cephalopods, which began as inconspicuous mollusks, abandoned their shells and rose above the ocean floor, searching for prey and acquiring the greater intelligence needed to do so. Taking an independent route, mammals and birds later began their own evolutionary journeys.But what kind of intelligence do cephalopods possess? Drawing on the latest scientific research and his own scubadiving adventures, GodfreySmith probes the many mysteries that surround the lineage. How did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? What is it like to have eight tentacles that are so packed with neurons that they virtually think for themselves? What happens when some octopuses abandon their hermitlike ways and congregate, as they do in a unique location off the coast of Australia?By tracing the question of inner life back to its roots and comparing human beings with our most remarkable animal relatives, GodfreySmith casts crucial new light on the octopus mindand on our own.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Other Minds'? A: 'Other Minds' explores the evolution of consciousness, particularly focusing on cephalopods like octopuses and how they developed intelligence independently from mammals and birds.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Other Minds'? A: The book is authored by Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: 'Other Minds' is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: How many pages does 'Other Minds' contain? A: The book consists of 272 pages.
- Q: When was 'Other Minds' published? A: 'Other Minds' was published on December 6, 2016.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The item condition is listed as acceptable.
- Q: What category does 'Other Minds' fall under? A: 'Other Minds' is categorized under Evolutionary Psychology.
- Q: Is 'Other Minds' a first edition? A: Yes, this is the first edition of 'Other Minds'.
- Q: What unique insights does the author provide in the book? A: Peter Godfrey-Smith provides insights into how subjective experience evolved in the ocean and compares human intelligence with that of octopuses.
- Q: What makes octopuses a key focus in the book? A: Octopuses are highlighted as they exhibit remarkable intelligence and unique behaviors that raise questions about the nature of consciousness and evolution.