A cutting-edge examination of what it means to be human and to have a 'self' in the face of new scientific developments in genetic editing, cloning and neural downloading.
After seeing his own cells used to grow clumps of new neurons - essentially mini-brains - Philip Ball begins to examine the concepts of identity and consciousness. Delving into humanity's deep evolutionary past to look at how complex creatures like us emerged from single-celled life, he offers a new perspective on how humans think about ourselves.
In an age when we are increasingly encouraged to regard the 'self' as an abstract sequence of genetic information, or as a pattern of neural activity that might be 'downloaded' to a computer, he return us to the body - to flesh and blood - and anchors a conception of personhood in this unique and ephemeral mortal coil. How to Build a Human brings us back to ourselves - but in doing so, it challenges old preconceptions and values. It asks us to rethink how we exist in the world.
| ISBN: | 9780008331818 |
| Publication date: | 30th April 2020 |
| Author: | Philip Ball |
| Publisher: | William Collins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 384 pages |
| Genres: |
Popular Science Developmental neuroscience Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience Evolutionary anthropology / Human evolution Philosophy of mind Bioethics Evolution Genetics (non-medical) Developmental biology Psychology: the self, ego, identity, personality |
A cutting-edge examination of what it means to be human and to have a 'self' in the face of new scientific developments in genetic editing, cloning and neural downloading.After seeing his own cells used to grow clumps of new neurons - essentially mini-brains - Philip Ball begins to examine the concepts of identity and consciousness. Delving into humanity's deep evolutionary past to look at how complex creatures like us emerged from single-celled life, he offers a new perspective on how humans think about ourselves.In an age when we are increasingly encouraged to regard the 'self' as an abstract sequence of genetic information, or as a pattern of neural activity that might be 'downloaded' to a computer, he return us to the body - to flesh and blood - and anchors a conception of personhood in this unique and ephemeral mortal coil.
How to Grow a Human features in the following genres: Popular Science, Developmental neuroscience, Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, Evolutionary anthropology / Human evolution, Philosophy of mind, Bioethics, Evolution, Genetics (non-medical), Developmental biology, Psychology: the self, ego, identity, personality
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
How to Grow a Human was written by Philip Ball and published by William Collins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
How to Grow a Human has 384 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.