Chaos and Intoxication: Complexity and Adaptation in the Structure of Human Nature

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Alan Dean

Chaos and Intoxication

Complexity and Adaptation in the Structure of Human Nature

Alan Dean

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English

Routledge
02 October 1997

Philosophy of mind; Drug & substance abuse: social aspects; Behavioural theory (Behaviourism); Social, group or collective psychology; Chaos theory

Why are people often so unpredictable? Why do they do things which can cause great personal harm even whey they know this to be the case? Chaos and Intoxication seeks to address these and many other enduring questions through a

detailed discussion of the chaotic nature of human existence. Chaos and Intoxication explores three general areas, the first of which is neurobiology and genetics. The evolution of the mind is examined from a Darwinian perspective, drawing

attention to the way chance and uncertainty in development are structured by natural selection. Key findings from current biological and medical research are reviewed, the interrelationship between genetics and experience is explored, and Gerald Edelman's theory of the evolution of the mind through

natural selection is discussed. The second theme, cognition

and collective action, is considered in the light of evidence indicating that the way we think is also subject to natural selection. Furthermore, it is argued that there is a meaningful distinction between reason (adaptive rationality) and

formal rationality. Finally, recent research into chaos theory, order and complexity is reviewed and the preceding discussions of biology, psychology, the role of society and

collective action into a general theory of chaos and human nature.

By: Alan Dean
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 408g
ISBN: 9780415146142
ISBN 10: 0415146143
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 02 October 1997
Audience: College/higher education , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction: Towards a Chaos Theory of Human Nature, Chapter one: The Embodiment of Intoxication, Chapter two: Biology and Experience, Chapter three: The Evolution of the Mind, Chapter four: Consciousness and Language, Chapter five: Reason, Rationality and Individual Action, Chapter six: Adaptation and Uncertainty in Human Nature, Chapter seven: Principles of Complexity and Chaos, Chapter eight: Working With Chaos, Chapter nine: Chaos and Intoxication, Chapter ten: Is Existence Fractal?

Alan Dean is Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Hull.

Reviews for Chaos and Intoxication: Complexity and Adaptation in the Structure of Human Nature

'Both thought provoking and thorough ... Dean presents arguments that are impressive in their scope and that I found persuasive, stimulating and potentially useful ... a fertile source of ideas for people using simulating within the social sciences.' - Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation