The Shape of Thought

Reviews / Votes

Rich and thoughtful, this book lays out why, if we want to understand human psychology, neural plasticity, cultural differences and cognitive development, we need evolutionary theory, and an understanding of how humans evolved. In Barrett's hands, the pernicious dichotomy that divides "learning" from "innate" explanations crumbles, leaving only evolutionary explanations, which may involve different types of developmental processes. In setting the house back in order, Barrett synthesizes insights and findings from psychology, culture-gene coevolutionary theory, anthropology, developmental biology and philosophy. He delivers Evolutionary Psychology 2.0. * Joe Henrich, Canada Research Chair in Culture, Cognition and Coevolution, University of British Columbia * In this lucid book, Barrett explains how thinking about the evolution of the mind should shape our understanding of how the mind works. Bringing sophisticated knowledge of evolutionary biology and cognitive science together, he reconciles opposing views about the role learning and culture in the workings of the human mind. This book will be the bible for a broader, more inclusive evolutionary psychology. * Rob Boyd, Origins Professor, Arizona State University * Barrett has read your mind, and knows your questions. He will lead you gently but fiercely through the controversies that surround evolutionary psychology and cognitive science, showing you that one cannot exist without the other. * Leda Cosmides, Center for Evolutionary Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara * Clark Barrett takes the reader from the basics of evolutionary psychology to exciting stuff at the cutting-edge of today's research. He does so with splendid clarity, illuminating examples, and an engaging balance of wisdom and passion. An important book and an excellent read! * Dan Sperber, Professor of Cognitive Science and of Philosophy at the Central European University, Budapest *