Darwin's Unfinished Symphony. How Culture Shaped the Human Mind

The most mysterious question in the history of humanity is how, as a result of evolution, a species emerged that is so different from all others? The greatest minds, including Darwin, were unable to provide a comprehensive scientific explanation of how our ancestors managed to evolve from foraging monkeys to modern humans who compose symphonies, recite poetry, and invent unique technologies. Between our cognitive abilities and achievements and those of other species lies an insurmountable chasm. Could it be that human culture evolved from the social learning and traditions that we observe in other animals? How were our mind, intelligence, and language formed? Summarizing years of research from his lab, Professor of Behavioral and Evolutionary Biology Kevin Leyland addresses these questions, bringing us closer to unraveling the mystery of human cognition and mind.