Drawing from extensive experience with newborn chicks and various species, the author provides a clear and accessible exploration of innate and instinctive behaviors. The book delves into the origins of these behaviors, offering insights into animal development and the nature of instinct, making it a valuable resource for understanding the biological underpinnings of behavior in different species.
Challenging the prevailing notion that consciousness arises solely from the complexity of the human brain, this work explores alternative theories and perspectives on the origins of consciousness. It delves into philosophical and scientific discussions, examining the interplay between biology, cognition, and consciousness, ultimately inviting readers to reconsider established beliefs about the mind and its development.
"Why do newborns show a preference for a face (or something that resembles a face) over a nonface-like object? Why do baby chicks prefer a moving object to an inanimate one? Neither baby human nor baby chick has had time to learn to like faces or movement. In Born Knowing, neuroscientist Giorgio Vallortigara argues that the mind is not a blank slate. Early behavior is biologically predisposed rather than learned, and this instinctive or innate behavior, Vallortigara says, is key to understanding the origins of knowledge."--Page 4 of cover