From Bacteria to Bach and Back : The Evolution of Minds

from DLMorrese

The title of this book implies a journey, and that's what it feels like...a long, twisty one with diversions to view the scenery, most of which, frankly, is rather dull. Along the way we're supposed to have learned something about 'the evolution of minds', and perhaps we do, a bit, but not much, ...

from wdwilson3

There are excellent insights and ideas in this book, sometimes obscured by the author's meandering style and academic presentation. At one point, he laments the current lack of inspired communicators who, like Hawking and Bernstein, were able to communicate complicated subject matter to a general...

from billycongo

There's a lot of great information in this book, however there is a certain amount of arrogance in his approach. He knows what consciousness is, you don't, and the point of the book is to convince you with his arguments. He isn't the greatest of writers, because he's always referring back to othe...

from markm2315

Dennett has written for the laity about evolution, free will, and consciousness before. His thoughts continue to evolve, and in this book, he gives us a patient and entertaining explanation of his idea that consciousness, as the virtual construct he's described before, analogous to a graphic user...

from

This is an interesting summary of some current thinking about what consciousness is, how it got to be, and what it might become. Daniel Dennett writes this philosophy book from the point of view of a generalist, giving his opinions, considering his critics, and mentioning the work of any number o...