InfoCoBuild

Is the Human Mind Unique?

Scientists from many different fields gathered to discuss cognitive abilities often regarded as unique to humans including humor, morality, symbolism, creativity, and preoccupation with the minds of others. Emphasis was placed on the functional uniqueness of these attributes, as opposed to the anatomical uniqueness, and whether these attributes are indeed quantitatively or qualitatively unique to humans. (from carta.anthropogeny.org)

Humor. Why does humor exist at all? It consumes a lot of time and energy, and some humans are arguably addicted to humor. Daniel Dennett (Tufts Univ) explores what, in biological terms, sustains this costly habit.

4. Humor


Go to the Series Home or watch other lectures:

1. Symbolic Communication: Why is Human Thought so Flexible?
2. Desperately Seeking Explanation
3. An Evolved and Creative Mind
4. Humor
5. Archaeological Evidence for Mind
6. Entering the 'Soul Niche'
7. Skilled Performance and Artistry
8. Moral Sense
9. Inter-Modular Interactions, Metaphor, and the 'Great Leap'