{"product_id":"the-evolution-of-the-sensitive-soul-learning-and-the-origins-of-consciousness-mit-press","title":"The Evolution of the Sensitive Soul: Learning and the Origins of Consciousness (Mit Press)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA new theory about the origins of consciousness that finds learning to be the driving force in the evolutionary transition to basic consciousness. What marked the evolutionary transition from organisms that lacked consciousness to those with consciousnessto minimal subjective experiencing  or  as Aristotle described it  the sensitive soul? In this book  Simona Ginsburg and Eva Jablonka propose a new theory about the origin of consciousness that finds learning to be the driving force in the transition to basic consciousness. Using a methodology similar to that used by scientists when they identified the transition from non-life to life  Ginsburg and Jablonka suggest a set of criteria  identify a marker for the transition to minimal consciousness  and explore the far-reaching biological  psychological  and philosophical implications. After presenting the historical  neurobiological  and philosophical foundations of their analysis  Ginsburg and Jablonka propose that the evolutionary marker of basic or minimal consciousness is a complex form of associative learning  which they term unlimited associative learning (UAL). UAL enables an organism to ascribe motivational value to a novel  compound  non-reflex-inducing stimulus or action  and use it as the basis for future learning. Associative learning  Ginsburg and Jablonka argue  drove the Cambrian explosion and its massive diversification of organisms. Finally  Ginsburg and Jablonka propose symbolic language as a similar type of marker for the evolutionary transition to human rationalityto Aristotles rational soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44945854955573,"sku":"ByrdShop_0262039303","price":108.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780262039307.jpg?v=1769911819","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-evolution-of-the-sensitive-soul-learning-and-the-origins-of-consciousness-mit-press","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}