Machiavellian Intelligence II

Extensions and Evaluations

Richard W Byrne editor Andrew Whiten editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:25th Sep '97

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Machiavellian Intelligence II cover

Extends and evaluates the Machiavellian Intelligence Hypothesis for intelligence's social basis.

The 'Machiavellian Intelligence Hypothesis' implies that monkeys, apes, and humans first developed intelligence to manipulate and outmanoeuvre others socially. This new volume extends and evaluates the ideas first explored in 1988 in an essential guide for all those interested in the behavioural sciences, primatology, and evolution.How can the intelligence of monkeys and apes, and the huge brain expansion which marked human evolution be explained? In 1988, Machiavellian Intelligence was the first book to assemble the early evidence suggesting a new answer: that the evolution of intellect was primarily driven by selection for manipulative, social expertise within groups where the most challenging problem faced by individuals was dealing with their companions. Since then a wealth of new information and ideas has accumulated. This new book will bring readers up to date with the most important developments, extending the scope of the original ideas and evaluating them empirically from different perspectives. It is essential reading for reseachers and students in many different branches of evolution and behavioural sciences, primatology, and philosophy.

' … this book provides anyone concerned with welfare with abundant information and ideas on the advanced nature of primates' intelligence.' Animal Welfare 1998
'Whiten and Byrne are to be congratulated for collecting this second set of essays which are an important addition to the field of 'cognitive ethology'.' Aubrey Manning, The Times Literary Supplement
'Best of all, Mach II is in affordable paperback form the outset, and compels just as much attention as did Mach I.' W. C. McGrew, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
'If you think you might want to read this book, yes, you do! That is, if you are interested in primate cognition, in 'mindreading' … or in the evolution of human social understanding, then Mach II is a book to seize on.' Animal Cognition

ISBN: 9780521550871

Dimensions: 236mm x 157mm x 32mm

Weight: 712g

416 pages