Overview

"A machine for language? Certainly, say the neurophysiologists, busy studying the specializations of the human brain and trying to indentify their evolutionary antecedents. Linguists such as Noam Chomsky talk about machine-like ""modules"" in the brain for syntax, arguing that language is more an instinct (a complex behaviour triggered by simple environmental stimuli) than an acquired skill like riding a bicycle. But structured language presents the same evolutionary problems as feathered forelimbs for flight: you need a lot of specializations to fly even a little bit. How do you get them, if evolution has no foresight and the intermediate stages do not have intermediate payoffs? Some say that the Darwinian scheme for gradual species self-improvement cannot explain our most valued human capability, the one that sets us so far above the apes, language itself. William Calvin and Derek Bickerton suggest that other evolutionary developments, not directly related to language, allowed language to evolve in a way that eventually promoted a Chomskian syntax. They compare these intermediate behaviours to the curb-cuts originally intended for wheelchair users. Their usefulness was soon discovered by users of strollers, shopping carts, rollerblades and so on. The authors argue that reciprocal altruism and ballistic movement planning were ""curb-cuts"" that indirectly promoted the formation of structured language. Written in the form of a dialogue set in Bellagio, Italy, ""Lingua ex Machina"" presents an engaging challenge to those who view the human capacity for language as a winner-take-all war between Chomsky and Darwin."

Full Product Details

Author:   William H. Calvin ,  Derek Bickerton
Publisher:   MIT Press Ltd
Imprint:   Bradford Books
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.612kg
ISBN:  

9780262032735

ISBN 10:   0262032732
Pages:   304
Publication Date:   02 February 2000
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Stock Indefinitely
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

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Reviews

This book is witty, opinionated and deeply clever, a wonderful introduction to one of the most controversial issues in the study of mind. The New York Times Book Review

This book is witty, opinionated and deeply clever, a wonderfulintroduction to one of the most controversial issues in the study ofmind. The New York Times Book Review (April 16, 2000) Lingua ex Machina is the result of a fascinating and unlikely collaborationbetween two highly original thinkers--a linguist and a theoreticalneurophysiologist--who have spent their careers considering the evolution ofthe human mind from these very different perspectives. The result issomething halfway between a synthesis and a dialogue, that leads the readeron a challenging ride through some of the most interesting and controversialtopics in the science of mind. Terrence W. Deacon, Boston University Lingua ex Machina is the result of a fascinating and unlikely collaboration between two highly original thinkers--a linguist and a theoretical neurophysiologist--who have spent their careers considering the evolution of the human mind from these very different perspectives. The result issomething halfway between a synthesis and a dialogue, that leads the readeron a challenging ride through some of the most interesting and controversialtopics in the science of mind. Terrence W. Deacon , Boston University This book is witty, opinionated and deeply clever, a wonderful introduction to one of the most controversial issues in the study of mind. The New York Times Book Review

This book is witty, opinionated and deeply clever, a wonderful introduction to one of the most controversial issues in the study of mind. --The New York Times Book Review (April 16, 2000) Lingua ex Machina is the result of a fascinating and unlikely collaboration between two highly original thinkers--a linguist and a theoretical neurophysiologist--who have spent their careers considering the evolution of the human mind from these very different perspectives. The result is something halfway between a synthesis and a dialogue, that leads the reader on a challenging ride through some of the most interesting and controversial topics in the science of mind. --Terrence W. Deacon, Boston University

Author Information

William H. Calvin is Affiliate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle. His books include The Cerebral Code (MIT Press, 1996).

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