Humankind: A Brief History

by Felipe Fernández-Armesto

Book Overview

The discovery that the DNA of chimpanzees and humans is incredibly similar, sharing 98% of the same code, suggests that there is very little different--or special--about the human animal. Likewise, advances in artificial intelligence mean that humans no longer have exclusive access to reason, consciousness and imagination. Indeed, the harder we cling to the concept of humanity, the more slippery it becomes. But if it breaks down altogether, what will...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192805754
• ISBN13: 9780192805751
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

The history about WHAT humankind is...

This book deals with how mankind has tried to define humankind. Our we human because our body is different from other animals? But apes are so close to us when it comes to DNA. Because we have a soul or mind? Can we even prove those things exist? Because we have culture and works of art? But don't machines now write stories and don't chimps paint? Will we ever find something to define us as humans when we don't even know what being human means? I enjoyed this book and, funny enough as a manga fan, have to compare it to _Ghost In The Shell_ and _AppleSeed_ in the questions it asks.