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 often 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: firstly neurobiology and genetics, where a Darwinian perspective on the evolution of the mind which draws attention to

the way chance and uncertainty in development are structured by natural selection is explored. Also, key findings from current biological and medical research are reviewed, followed by a discussion of Gerald Edelman's theory of the evolution of the mind through natural selection. The second theme of cognition and collective action comprises of a discussion of evidence which indicates that the way we think is also subject to natural selection, both historically and within the

comtemporary world and that there is a meaningful distinction between reason. The final theme reviews recent research into chaos theory, order and complexity and brings together 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: 19mm
Weight: 272g
ISBN: 9780415146159
ISBN 10: 0415146151
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 02 October 1997
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
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