The plentiful real-world examples are always enlightening and entertaining. Math-minded readers will find this a fun ride.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An informative read, full of thought provoking studies and animal observations.”—Booklist
“Since we humans developed mathematics to optimize our lives, it’s not much of a stretch to assume that other living creatures must have developed their own kinds of mathematics — but how could we find out? Butterworth’s descriptions of the ingenious methods scientists have come up with to uncover the hidden mathematical world of our fellow creatures will amaze you.”
—Keith Devlin, Ph.D., mathematician and author of The Math Instinct
“What I like best about this fascinating book is the detail. Brian Butterworth doesn't just tell us stories of animals with numerical abilities: he tells us about the underlying science. Elegantly written and a joy to read.”—Professor Ian Stewart, FRS, author of What's the Use?
“Can Fish Count? explores the intriguing ways of counting around the world, from Neanderthals and ancient human civilizations to animals as diverse as primates, insects, and – you guessed it – fish. Brian Butterworth’s fascinating research demonstrates that counting is everywhere and has accompanied us since our Cambrian ancestors.”
—Lars Chittka, Professor of Sensory and Behavioural Ecology, Queen Mary University of London
An entertaining investigation¿of the*numerical abilities*of animals*and our own appetite for arithmetic*
The*philosopher*Bertrand Russell once observed that realizing that a pair of apples and the passage of two days could somehow both be represented by the¿concept¿we call*“two”*was one of the most astonishing discoveries anyone had ever made.*So*what do we make of the*incredible*fact*that*animals*seem to*have*inherent mathematical abilities?*As*cognitive psychologist Brian Butterworth shows*us*in Can Fish¿Count?,*many “simple” animals-such as bees, which*count trees and fence posts, and guppies, which can size up groups-have a sense of numbers. And unlike humans,*they*don't*need to be taught.**
In*telling*animals' stories,*Butterworth*shines new light on*one*of our most ancient questions:*Just*where, exactly, do numbers come from?*He*reveals*how insights*gleaned*from studying animals can help us make better sense of*our*own abilities.*Full of*discovery*and*delight,*Can Fish Count?*is*an astonishing journey through the animal kingdom*and*the human mind.*
An entertaining investigation¿of the*numerical abilities*of animals*and our own appetite for arithmetic*
The*philosopher*Bertrand Russell once observed that realizing that a pair of apples and the passage of two days could somehow both be represented by the¿concept¿we call*“two”*was one of the most astonishing discoveries anyone had ever made.*So*what do we make of the*incredible*fact*that*animals*seem to*have*inherent mathematical abilities?*As*cognitive psychologist Brian Butterworth shows*us*in Can Fish¿Count?,*many “simple” animals-such as bees, which*count trees and fence posts, and guppies, which can size up groups-have a sense of numbers. And unlike humans,*they*don't*need to be taught.**
In*telling*animals' stories,*Butterworth*shines new light on*one*of our most ancient questions:*Just*where, exactly, do numbers come from?*He*reveals*how insights*gleaned*from studying animals can help us make better sense of*our*own abilities.*Full of*discovery*and*delight,*Can Fish Count?*is*an astonishing journey through the animal kingdom*and*the human mind.*
Can Fish Count?: What Animals Reveal About Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds
Can Fish Count?: What Animals Reveal About Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds
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Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940176251548 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Hachette Audio |
| Publication date: | 04/26/2022 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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