Are We Unique? : A Scientist Explores the Unparalleled Intelligence of the Human Mind

by Trefil, James

• ISBN13: 9780471249467
• ISBN10: 0471249467
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-02-18
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

A powerful and important exploration of the most compelling question for the 21st century."Trefil's race through the science that could explain the brain is highly readable. "_Sunday Times"Although Mr. Trefil makes a solid scientific case for humanity's uniqueness, it is his insightful, witty, informal _in a word, human_style that convinces the reader that no machine could ever succeed in replacing such an author or in duplicating such a book." _The New York Time Book ReviewIn a stimulating and far-range exploration of the cutting edge studies of animal and artificial intelligence, bestselling science author James Trefil asks the fascinating and provovative question, Is there really anthing so special about the human mind after all? He presents a powerful and compelling argument that, yes, in fact, the human mind is an entirely unique organ of intelligence_different in startling ways from both animal and machine. Ultimately, Are We Unique offers an exhilarating exploration of what it means to be human.JAMES TREFIL (Fairfax, Virginia) is Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University. He is the author of 15 books, including coauthor of the bestselling Science Matters and the perennially popular Sharks Have No Bones. A regular contributor to Smithsonian, he is also a science commentator for National Public Radio.

Author Biography

JAMES TREFIL is Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University. He is the author of fifteen books, including coauthorship of the bestselling Science Matters and the perennially popular Sharks Have No Bones. A regular contributor to Smithsonian magazine, he is also a science commentator for National Public Radio. Mr. Trefil lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Is There Anything Left For Us?

Humans and Animals: The Same but Different.

Of Fleeing Anemones and Smart Lobsters.

Can Animals Talk?

The Brain.

Of Tamping Rods and Grandmother Cells: How the Brain Works.

How Did We Get to Be So Smart?: The Evolution of Intelligence.

Moving Wheels and Moving Electrons: How a Computer Works.

Artificial Intelligence, Learning Machines, and Chinese Rooms.

Why the Brain Is Not a Computer.

Can the Brain Do Something a Computer Can't?: Godel and Penrose.

The Problem of Consciousness.

Consciousness and Complexity.

Is There Anything Left for Us?

Bibliography.

Acknowledgments.

Index.