The Evolution of Human Cleverness presents a unique introduction to
the way human cognitive abilities have evolved. The book comprises a
series of mini-essays on distinct topics in which technical terms are
simplified, considering how humans made the long journey from our
ape-like ancestors to become capable of higher-level reasoning and
problem solving.
All the topics are cross-linked, allowing the reader to dip in and out,
but certain key concepts run through the underlying reasoning. Chiefly,
these are adaptation and selection, the distinction between ultimate and
proximate causes of behaviour, gene-culture co-evolution, and
domain-general versus domain-specific cognitive processes. The book
should help the reader draw lessons for the human species as a whole,
especially in view of the environmental threats to its own existence.
Entries have been carefully crafted to cut through scientific jargon,
providing bite-sized and digestible chunks of knowledge, making the
topic accessible for students and lay readers alike. The author draws on
research from diverse fields including Psychology, Anthropology,
Archaeology, Biology, and Neuroscience to provide an unbiased account of
the field, making it an ideal text for students of all levels.
