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The Machines of Evolution and the Scope of Meaning

by Gary Tomlinson
Compare to estimated retail price: S$42.07  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

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The Machines of Evolution and the Scope of Meaning
The Machines of Evolution and the Scope of Meaning

Evolutionary thought intersects meaning and information.

If you're fascinated by the ever-evolving understanding of how life's meaning intertwines with evolution, Tomlinson's work is a gem. It's for the curious mind eager to dive into the profound connections between information, signs, and animal studies. By exploring these groundbreaking insights, you'll gain a fresh perspective on the evolution of meaning that could change how you see the world.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Machines of Evolution and the Scope of Meaning

by Gary Tomlinson
Compare to estimated retail price: S$42.07  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

The estimated retail price shown next to any listed item represents the first-hand prices we've seen elsewhere, or the estimated original retail price of a comparable item of the same quality, construction and material offered elsewhere in new condition.

Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

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This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

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This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9781942130796
Authors: Gary Tomlinson
Publisher: Zone Books
Date of Publication: 2023-02-28
Format: Hardcover
Related Collections: Science, Philosophy
Related Topics: Biology, Evolution
Goodreads rating: 4.13
(rated by 16 readers)

Description

A groundbreaking account of the origin and place of meaning in the earthly biosphere. What is meaning? How does it arise? Where is it found in the world? In recent years, philosophers and scientists have answered these questions in different ways. Some see meaning as a uniquely human achievement, others extend it to trees, microbes, and even to the bonding of DNA and RNA molecules. In this groundbreaking book, Gary Tomlinson defines a middle path. Combining emergent thinking about evolution, new research on animal behaviors, and theories of information and signs, he tracks meaning far out into the animal world. At the same time, he discerns limits to its scope and identifies innumerable life forms, including many animals and all other organisms, that make no meanings at all. Tomlinson’s map of meaning starts from signs, the fundamental units of reference or aboutness. Where signs are at work, they shape meaning-laden lifeways, offering possibilities for distinctive organism/niche interactions and sometimes leading to technology and culture. The emergence of meaning does not, however, monopolize complexity in the living world. Countless organisms generate awe-inspiring behavioral intricacies without meaning. The Machines of Evolution and the Scope of Meaning offers a revaluation of both meaning and meaninglessness, uncovering a foundational difference in animal solutions to the hard problem of life.
 

Evolutionary thought intersects meaning and information.

If you're fascinated by the ever-evolving understanding of how life's meaning intertwines with evolution, Tomlinson's work is a gem. It's for the curious mind eager to dive into the profound connections between information, signs, and animal studies. By exploring these groundbreaking insights, you'll gain a fresh perspective on the evolution of meaning that could change how you see the world.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.