Evolution of the Brain: The Creation of Self-Awareness

Author: John Carew Eccles
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: The author is a Nobel laureate. The book tells the story of human origins, not only as a product of the evolution of ancient apes but also as a human being with reflective consciousness. From the genetic basis of evolution, it vividly describes the main characteristics of the evolution of ancient apes to the origin of humans. It shows how the consciousness of ancient apes was optimized along with the development of their brains, and the neocortex that emerged during the evolutionary process becomes the key to unlocking the mystery of self-awareness. Sir John Eccles uses the results of his research in multiple disciplines such as archaeology, comparative neuroanatomy, brain physiology, linguistics, paleography, and philosophy to tell the story of human origins. He speculates that Homo habilis, with its significantly increased brain capacity, was the progenitor of human language. Eccles shows us how the consciousness of our ancient ape ancestors gradually optimized as their brains grew. Neanderthals already exhibited primitive spirituality, and their burials and compassion lit the dawn of self-awareness. Humans are not only the product of the evolution of ancient apes but also human beings with reflective consciousness. The author points out that the recently evolved neocortex region in human-chimpanzee evolution—the neocortex—has extraordinary features that are key to unlocking the mystery of self-awareness, and the uniqueness of each self leads to the concept of the soul and the religious ideas it generates.