{"product_id":"a-history-of-bodies-brains-and-minds-isbn-9780262049023","title":"A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds","description":"\u003cb\u003eA panoramic view of the evolution of life on our planet, from its origins to humanity’s future.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eA History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds\u003c\/i\u003e, Francisco Aboitiz provides a brief history of life, the brain, and cognition, from the earliest living beings to our own species. The author proceeds from the basic premise that, since evolution by natural selection is the process underlying the origin of life and its evolution on earth, the brain—and thus our minds—must also be the result of biological evolution. The aim of this book is to narrate how animal bodies came to be built with their nervous systems and how our species evolved with culture, technology, language, and consciousness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is organized in four parts, each delving into a different aspect of evolutionary development:\u003cbr\u003e•          \u003cb\u003eDefinitions\u003c\/b\u003e lays the groundwork by discussing the principles of biological evolution and explores the definition and mechanisms of life itself.\u003cbr\u003e•          \u003cb\u003eBeginnings\u003c\/b\u003e describes the origins of life, starting from the emergence of the first cells to the development of neurons as the building blocks for brain networks.\u003cbr\u003e•          \u003cb\u003eThe Rise of Bodies and Brains\u003c\/b\u003e examines the evolution of animals with bilateral symmetry, the emergence of chordates and vertebrates, and the expansion and diversification of the vertebrate brain.\u003cbr\u003e•          \u003cb\u003eA Singular Ape\u003c\/b\u003e explores \u003ci\u003eHomo sapiens\u003c\/i\u003e and our species’ unique traits, such as bipedality, tool use, culture, language, communication, and consciousness.\u003cbr\u003eComprehensive and deeply insightful, this book helps us understand our place in the natural world and the cosmos—as well as what the future might hold for life on earth.PART I. DEFINITIONS\u003cbr\u003e1. WHAT IS EVOLUTION?                \u003cbr\u003e2. WHAT IS LIFE?               \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART II. BEGINNINGS: FROM CELLS TO NEURONS\u003cbr\u003e3. THE BIRTH OF CELLS         \u003cbr\u003e4. STICKING TOGETHER             \u003cbr\u003e5. THE BUTTERFLIES OF MIND         \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART III. THE RISE OF BODIES AND BRAINS\u003cbr\u003e6. HEADS, MOUTHS AND ANUSES      \u003cbr\u003e7. TAILS, BONES, JAWS AND LIMBS         \u003cbr\u003e8. A MASTERPIECE OF EVOLUTION      \u003cbr\u003e9. MESOZOIC EDEN            \u003cbr\u003e10. THE SYMPHONY OF COGNITION         \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART IV. A SINGULAR APE\u003cbr\u003e11. HOMO               \u003cbr\u003e12. VOICES FROM THE PAST      \u003cbr\u003e13. SHARING THE WORLD            \u003cbr\u003e14. CONSCIOUSNESS UNEXPLAINED      \u003cbr\u003e15. QUO VADIS?               \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFINAL THOUGHTS“Professor Aboitiz takes us on a remarkable journey through the ‘masterpiece’ of evolution, ‘symphony’ of cognition, and as yet ‘unexplained’ consciousness, bringing to bear deeply considered perspectives from a broad array of disciplines. A highly informative and enjoyable narrative.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Steven L. Small, Ashbel Smith Professor of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, and Professor of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“No other book provides such a sweeping overview of biological evolution, ranging from the origin of life to language and consciousness. The writing is very accessible, yet indicates where controversy lurks. A mind-broadening read!”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Georg Striedter, Professor of Neurobiology \u0026amp; Behavior at the University of California Irvine; author of \u003ci\u003ePrinciples of Brain Evolution\u003c\/i\u003e and coauthor of \u003ci\u003eBrains Through Time: A Natural History of Vertebrates\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Aboitiz provides an unusually erudite and comprehensive review of brain evolution, from the simplest to the most complex, and will be a required reader for all students (and experts) of evolution, neuroscience, biology, and beyond.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Mary Ann Raghanti, Professor and Department Chair, Kent State University\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“A Cook’s tour of animal evolution, with a focus on brains and cognitive mechanisms. Far and away the best summary for the nonspecialist of the complexities of cortical structure and function that I have yet encountered.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Thurston Lacalli, Biology Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada\u003c\/b\u003eFrancisco Aboitiz is Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He researches brain evolution and cognition, including medical conditions such as ADHD, ASD, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis.","brand":"The MIT Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46301142548709,"sku":"NP9780262049023","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780262049023.jpg?v=1767720523","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/a-history-of-bodies-brains-and-minds-isbn-9780262049023","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}