Cognitive Gadgets
Cognitive Gadgets
Cecilia Heyes
Tyler Cowen
Perhaps the most important general social science book in a good while. - Tyler Cowen
+
1
All books

Cognitive Gadgets

Cognitive Gadgets: The Cultural Evolution of Thinking

Cecilia Heyes
By
Cecilia Heyes
3.8
160
ratings on Goodreads

In "Cognitive Gadgets: The Cultural Evolution of Thinking," Cecilia Heyes presents a groundbreaking exploration of the human mind, challenging the long-held belief that our cognitive abilities are innate gifts of evolution. Heyes argues persuasively that the remarkable tools of human thought - from our understanding of causality and our capacity for language, to our ability to empathize and share stories - are not hardwired into our DNA but are, in fact, learned through our immersion in culture. Through meticulous research and compelling argumentation, Heyes posits that our brains are akin to sponges, soaking up the intellectual technologies of our environment, transforming us from beings not so different from our closest primate relatives into entities capable of shaping the world through the power of thought. Heyes' work is an invitation to view the human mind through a new lens, seeing it as a dynamic interface shaped more by cultural inheritance than genetic legacy. "Cognitive Gadgets" demystifies the complex interplay between nature and nurture, presenting a nuanced understanding of how our cognitive processes evolve from infancy through exposure to human society. This transformative perspective not only deepens our understanding of the mind's mechanisms but also highlights the incredible potential for future cultural evolution. Heyes' book is an essential read for anyone fascinated by the origins of human thought and the infinite capacity of the mind to change and adapt.

Read more
Released
2018
16 Apr
Length
304
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

Perhaps the most important general social science book in a good while. - Tyler Cowen
Many cognitive mechanisms, like imitation and mindreading, not only do their jobs well, but do jobs that, when done well, seem likely to en­ hance reproductive tness—to increase the number of babies pro­ duced by the bearers of the cognitive mechanisms. This has led some researchers to assume that, even if new cognitive mechanisms are produced by learning in a culture­soaked environment, they will later become genetically assimilated. In other words, they may start out as cognitive gadgets, constructed in the course of development through social interaction, but then selection will progressively favor genetic mutations that reduce the experience­dependence of the gadgets’ de­ velopment, converting them into cognitive instincts (Henrich, 2015).
— Cecilia Heyes, Cognitive Gadgets

Similar recommendations

View all
The Selfish Gene
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
12
people
person
The Beginning of Infinity
8
people
person
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Douglas R. Hofstadter
7
people
person
The Singularity Is Near
7
people
person
Why We Sleep
Why We Sleep
Matthew Walker
7
people
person
A Short History of Nearly Everything
6
people
person
Behave
Behave
Robert M. Sapolsky
6
people
person
Life 3.0
Life 3.0
Max Tegmark
6
people
person
Lifespan
Lifespan
David Sinclair
6
people
person
Superintelligence
Superintelligence
Nick Bostrom
6
people
person

This site is part of Amazon’s Associates Program. Purchasing books recommended by successful individuals through my links earns us a small commission, helping keep the site running, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site!