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  • Other Minds

  • The Octopus and The Evolution of Intelligent Life
  • By: Peter Godfrey-Smith
  • Narrated by: Peter Noble
  • Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,374 ratings)
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Other Minds cover art

Other Minds

By: Peter Godfrey-Smith
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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Summary

A philosopher dons a wet suit and journeys into the depths of consciousness.

Peter Godfrey-Smith is a leading philosopher of science. He is also a scuba diver whose underwater videos of warring octopuses have attracted wide notice. In this audiobook he brings his parallel careers together to tell a bold new story of how nature became aware of itself.

Mammals and birds are widely seen as the smartest creatures on earth. But one other branch of the tree of life has also sprouted surprising intelligence: the cephalopods, consisting of the squid, the cuttlefish, and above all the octopus. New research shows that these marvellous creatures display remarkable gifts.

What does it mean that intelligence on Earth has evolved not once but twice? And that the mind of the octopus is nonetheless so different from our own? Combining science and philosophy with firsthand accounts of his cephalopod encounters, Godfrey-Smith shows how primitive organisms bobbing in the ocean began sending signals to each other and how these early forms of communication gave rise to the advanced nervous systems that permit cephalopods to change colours and human beings to speak.

By tracing the problem of consciousness back to its roots and comparing the human brain to its most alien and perhaps most remarkable animal relative, Godfrey-Smith's Other Minds sheds new light on one of our most abiding mysteries.

©2017 Peter Godfrey-Smith (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Other Minds

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    5 out of 5 stars

stunning look at the evolution of thinking...

loved every word of it. great subject lovingly narrated. For any one interested in thought, neuroscience and potentilly for bionics/robotics some great ideas to traverse andcombine. Why? all great structures and strategies are first invented in nature - if it's not broken..? So here is the fundemental patterning of thought through evolution. A demonstration of thought patterning in animals up to and including human minds. Interested to know where and who runs with these ideas and grows them forward in diffrent ways, especially in robotics...thanks to both Peters for bringing this to life

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21 people found this helpful

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An Alternative Intelligence Model

I have studied spider behaviour for nigh on 4 decades and gladly did not get 'locked' into just observing them. One particular group really fascinated me behaviourally and these are the Salticidae: jumping spiders. All spiders have smitten me but this family shows so much plasticity in its behaviour I came to notice it relies of memory and intelligence. Salticids have the best eyesight of any land invertebrate and their behaviour, whilst not totally reliant on that magnificent sense, is affected by having such good vision

THE best eyesight of any invertebrate goes to the Octopus. Once again we see behavioural placity that is advanced, requires learning and memory, coupled with mischief and tremendous abilities to recognise people. They too have always had me in awe.

This book looks at their evolutionary development and posits several up to date theories regarding their intelligent and behaviour. I have got ME now and this reducing my reading concentration so finding the book on Audible has made it possible for me to finally imbibe myself even more on their capabilies. Layperson or topscientist will get something out of this book if they have not lost the child like ability to ask about the world and the creatures inhabiting it.

I dare you not to take away some respect and admiration for these magnificent creatures after hearing this book. The myths and superstitions, just like spiders, that surround them are abundant. But truth is stranger than fiction and no animal on this Earth shows an alternative intelligence as well as Octopusses. One could not blame an alien visitor, seraching for intelligence in lifeforms on Earth, for picking the Octopus as the true hold of the number one place!

What I do find sad is that Octopusses do not live very long in comparison to other invertebrates. Two years and their life is over whilst Homo sapiens has evolved to live to 90 years, destroying the planet as it goes.Not very clever are they?

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14 people found this helpful

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Sentience and wonder

This is a wonderful book about the often underestimated genius of the seas that is the octopus. Complex, beautiful, private and highly intelligent creatures with boneless bodies which move more gracefully through the sea than any other marine creature, the octopus is here celebrated as the marvel it truly is in aesthetic as well as scientific terms. An absolute joy to read. The kind of book that should make a difference to this creature's survival and, with luck, an end to their being hunted for food.

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12 people found this helpful

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The extraordinary octopus

A profoundly fascinating and thought provoking study of this group of animals, based on close personal observation in the oceans and scientific understanding. It provides lessons that apply to the future of he human race and all species.



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10 people found this helpful

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A cephalopod love story

It's clear that Peter Godfrey-Smith holds a special place in his heart for these unusual and enigmatic creatures.

The book discusses the science of intelligence through our relationship to cephalopods. It's interesting, enlightening and often challenges our preconceptions.

I cant speak for the writer's scientific rigour; he definitely allows himself to personify these animals to a certain extent... that being said, these colourful desriptions are always backed up with an academic discussion.

All in all I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in natural science.

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9 people found this helpful

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Mind Opening....

I am delighted by the narration by Peter Noble and that was my primary reason for listening - to his voice. Then l was captivated by the unfolding story of the mind or rather the intelligence of Octapus and cuttlefish. I learnt such a lot. If you are interested in the amazingness of evolution then this is a compulsive listen. It is rather technical but in an easy to absorb flow.

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9 people found this helpful

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A great read with a wide variety of thoughts.

Loaded with factual detail and historical references but also added occasional narratives on real life encounters and experiences. Challenging and thought provoking. So good I would read it again one day!

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7 people found this helpful

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Amazing

Well researched and perfectly presented. A fascinating combination of evolutionary biology (not my interest at all but the author managed to make it very interesting) and philosophy of mind and their intersection occurring in the sea and ourselves. With crazy anecdotes and stories it makes for a terrific listen/read

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7 people found this helpful

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extraordinary & relatable creatures

"Octopuses are not monogamous, have sporadic sex lives and do not appear to be particularly social." That description had me hooked and it just went uphill from there rly.

The narration is great, the writing is accessible, stylish and funny and the subject fascinating. One of my new fav audiobooks.

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6 people found this helpful

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great stuff

My affinity with these creatures is enhanced. I will never eat one again!
well written, well read, and I know more now than I did before.

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6 people found this helpful