The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence

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One was the experimental demonstration of the synthesis of the energy-carrying molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in primitive-earth experiments. Jacket Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps. Sagan achieved worldwide recognition as an advocate for science education with his television series, Cosmos. The word "speculations" is indeed in the title yet it feels like it would also be easy to miss that point while reading this.

Having a large brain compared to our body mass may be one of the reasons humans have been able to survive and rise to the top of the food chain. This part provides a good segue into the even more interesting part of the book which deals with some fascinating speculations on the reptilian origins of human intelligence. I had just finished reading Carl Sagan's, "The Dragons of Eden", a pulitzer prize winning book from the 1970s on the evolution of the human mind, and came away with the impression that while our brains are one of the most sophisticated structures in the known universe, we also share a great deal in common with our animal cousins.All in all, Carl's speculations on the evolution of human intelligence are as interesting as one would expect, and the book is filled to the brim with his wit, intelligence, love and above all charm that makes his explanations of science so seductive and beautiful. May 1st would be the origin of the Milky Way Galaxy, and September 9th would be the origin of the solar system. Sagan’s fulcrum for this discussion is a theory by psychiatrist Paul McLean who divided the brain into three parts (the “triune brain”).

Sagan believes that we should encourage the operation of our reptilian brain, constantly tempering its excesses with the logical constraints of the left hemisphere. I can see this borne out across various media - there is scant evidence of polymaths living in the UK today.Sagan is quite upbeat about chimp intelligence and he spends a sizable part of the book talking about experiments that reveal chimps’ prowess in using sign language. A history of the human brain from the big bang, fifteen billion years ago, to the day before yesterday . Author has received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and the John Campbell Award for best science book of the year. Carl Sagan takes us on a great reading adventure, offering his vivid and startling insight into the brain of man and beast, the origin of human intelligence, the function of our most haunting legends--and their amazing links to recent discoveries. However, I do wish this book had clear-cut lessons for readers at the end of each chapter to identify the key information from each chapter.