Marty and Holly sit down with zoologist Justin Gregg to discuss his book 'If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity'. We discuss which aspects of human intelligence (and stupidity) are unique in the animal world, and what sets our mental faculties apart from those of other animals. We talk about our capacity for causal reasoning, the creation of language and our ability to lie, to imagine our own death, and to create moral frameworks to guide our behaviour. We also contemplate the phenomenon of consciousness and self awareness, and discuss how the subjective experience might arise in other organisms, from insects to primates. Finally we examine 'prognostic myopia', our short-sighted inability to plan for long-term problems, and the consequences for our species and our planet.
Buzzsprout (podcast host):
https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.com
Email:
thescienceinthefiction@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MartyK5463
Marty and Holly sit down with zoologist Justin Gregg to discuss his book 'If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity'. We discuss which aspects of human intelligence (and stupidity) are unique in the animal world, and what sets our mental faculties apart from those of other animals. We talk about our capacity for causal reasoning, the creation of language and our ability to lie, to imagine our own death, and to create moral frameworks to guide our behaviour. We also contemplate the phenomenon of consciousness and self awareness, and discuss how the subjective experience might arise in other organisms, from insects to primates. Finally we examine 'prognostic myopia', our short-sighted inability to plan for long-term problems, and the consequences for our species and our planet.
Buzzsprout (podcast host):
https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.com
Email:
thescienceinthefiction@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MartyK5463