John Parrington Libri

A lively and engaging popuar science book... I recommend it. Terry Sullivan, International Socialism

Genetic engineering allows the production of the human insulin protein for diabetics, the modification of crops, and the building of synthetic life forms. In the future we could even remove genetic diseases from the germ line. In this book, John Parrington explains the rise of this new, sophisticated science.

Does any other animal experience the richness of our inner lives-our ability to imagine, to hope, to dream, to create imaginary worlds? John Parrington answers no, and considers how we came to be so different, even from our nearest primate relatives. In this book, he argues that a 'mind shift' occurred during our evolution, in which tool use and especially the invention of language transformed our brains, which not only became larger, but subtly altered in their structure and function, making them more 'plastic' and open to external influences. Words could be used for inner dialogue too, leading to the emergence of a sense of self, of conscious awareness, as a product of brain biology and social interaction. An outpouring of art, music, literature, science, and technology has been the result-but also suffering, delusions, and despair when this symphonic brain activity goes wrong. Parrington considers the evidence for this language- and culture-driven view of human consciousness, and its implications for our mental health. Book jacket.

What is the material basis of the thoughts that occur inside our heads?Where do imaginative, creative, or spiritual thoughts come from - can these really be the product of nerve impulses in the brain? And is the human mind radically different from that of other species, or is our uniqueness more superficial than real? In this book, Oxford biologist John Parrington proposes a radical new theory of human consciousness, arguing that a qualitative leap in consciousness occurred during human evolution as language and tool use transformed our brains. Rejecting outdated views of the brain as a hard-wired circuit diagram, he draws on the latest insights from neuroscience to show that meaning is created within our heads through a dynamic interaction of oscillating brain waves. This new model of consciousness not only provides a material basis of our innermost thoughts but also explains why the mind can sometimes go wrong, causing deep mental distress.