On the origin of stories : evolution, cognition, and fiction / Brian Boyd.

Title :

On the origin of stories : evolution, cognition, and fiction

Author:

Boyd, Brian, 1952-

Format:

Books

Language:

English

ISBN - ISSN:

0674033574

9780674033573

Physical Description:

xii, 540 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Contents:

Introduction: animal, human, art, story -- Book 1: Evolution, art, and fiction -- Part 1: Evolution and nature -- Evolution and human nature? -- Evolution, adaptation, and adapted minds -- The evolution of intelligence -- The evolution of cooperation -- Part 2: Evolution and art -- Art as adaptation? -- Art as cognitive play -- Art and attention -- From tradition to innovation -- Part 3: Evolution and fiction -- Art, narrative, fiction -- Understanding and recalling events -- Narrative: representing events -- Fiction: inventing events -- Fiction as adaptation -- Book II: From Zeus to Seuss: origins of stories -- Part 4: Phylogeny: the Odyssey -- Earning attention (1): natural patterns: character and plot -- Earning attention (s): open-ended patterns: ironies of structure -- The evolution of intelligence (1): in the here and now -- The evolution of intelligence (2): beyond the here and now -- The evolution of cooperation (1): expanding the circle -- The evolution of cooperation (2): punishment -- Part 5: Ontogeny: Horton hears a who! -- Levels of explanation: universal, local, and individual -- Levels of explanation: individuality again -- Levels of explanation: particular -- Meanings -- Conclusion: retrospect and prospects: evolution, literature, criticism.

Subject:

Fiction -- History and criticism.

Fiction -- Authorship.

First Title value, for Searching:

On the origin of stories : evolution, cognition, and fiction / Brian Boyd.

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Library	Audience	Home Location	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Carnegie	Adult	Non-fiction	Book	809.3 B789	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Brian Boyd explains why we tell stories and how our minds are shaped to understand them. After considering art as adaptation, Boyd examines Homer's Odyssey and Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who! demonstrating how an evolutionary lens can offer new understanding and appreciation of specific works. Published for the bicentenary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species, Boyd's study embraces a Darwinian view of human nature and art, and offers a credo for a new humanism.

Summary

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2011 im Fachbereich Psychologie - Medienpsychologie, Note: 1,7, Universität Augsburg (Philosophisch-Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät), Veranstaltung: Politische Sozialisation im Jugendalter, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Ein gesundes politisches Interesse sowie eine gesunde politische Handlungsbereitschaft aller Bürger sind heutzutage das A und O, damit ein moderner demokratischer Staat erfolgreich funktionieren kann. Die Fragen, welche sich nun stellen, sind, wie entwickelt sich ein politi-sches Interesse beim heranwachsenden Individuum, wie und wann entsteht dessen politische Meinungsbildung und schließlich wann und warum sind Menschen bereit zur politischen Par-tizipation? Die Antworten liegen in der politischen Sozialisation verborgen, die jeder Mensch schon ab der Kindheit sein ganzes Leben lang durchläuft. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit gilt dabei der Lebensphase Jugend. Denn während der Adoleszenz steigt das politische Interesse deutlich an, die Jugendlichen suchen mit zunehmendem Alter immer mehr nach politischen Informationen und tauschen sich mit Erwachsenen darüber aus. Zudem nimmt das Verständ-nis politischer Realitäten im Jugendalter zu und ein Gespür für die demokratischen Prinzipien wird entwickelt, auch die Beteiligung an politischen Gestaltungsbemühungen und Entschei-dungen wächst (Fend, 2005).Mein Anliegen ist es deshalb, in dieser Arbeit genauer zu untersuchen, wie die politische So-zialisation im Jugendalter abläuft. Hierbei ist es wichtig zunächst einmal zu klären, was genau politische Sozialisation überhaupt ist und welche psychologischen Prozesse im Hintergrund ablaufen, die das Denken, die politischen Einstellungen und Meinungen sowie die politische Handlungsbereitschaft Jugendlicher beeinflussen. Anschließend möchte ich darstellen, wie die politische Sozialisation von Jugendlichen durch das Massenmedium Fernsehen beeinflusst wird.

Summary

Un dels grans etnòlegs evolucionistes, James Frazer, va predir que totes les societats humanes havien de passar, en un procés evolutiu lineal, per tres grans etapes: la màgica, la religiosa i la científica. Semblantment, Frazer estava convençut que les societats occidentals estaven plenament instal·lades a la fase científica. Però l'art de la predicció, com el de la profecia, és una tècnica arriscada i, si mirem al nostre voltant, tot sembla indicar que Frazer anava força desencaminat, ja que, si bé és cert que les religions hegemòniques han perdut el paper polític, cultural i simbòlic que havien tingut fins als anys setanta del segle xx (procés conegut a les ciències socials com a secularització o desencantament del món), també ho és que, contra tots els pronòstics, després de la segona guerra mundial, s'ha produït un nou «reencantament del món», que engloba un camp ampli de significats i fronteres incertes. Aquesta proliferació de pràctiques, creences i imaginaris ha rebut diferents denominacions, com per exemple Nova Era o New Age, àmbit difús del mistèric o espiritualitats emergents, o nebulosa misticoesotèrica. Nosaltres hem optat per denominar-ho Nous Imaginaris Culturals.

Reviews (2)

Choice Review

A renowned Nabokov scholar, Boyd (English, Univ. of Auckland, NZ) has created a compelling, erudite, and thoroughly original work about the nature of humanistic expression in art and literature. Beautifully written and wide-ranging, the book delves into social science, evolutionary biology, art, and literature to create a comprehensive account of the evolutionary origins of art and storytelling. The author argues that art derives from play and is a humanistic adaptation, offering advantages for human survival. Storytelling, he contends, fosters cooperation, social cognition, and creativity. Boyd divides the volume into two "books." The first, "Evolution, Art, and Fiction," examines how one can--and should--see human nature within an evolutionary framework. The second, "From Zeus to Seuss: Origins of Stories," provides "an evolutionary account of art in general" and offers a new understanding of and appreciation for works of literature of all types. (In this section, Boyd looks at Homer's Odyssey and Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who!) Apropos the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species, this book is a fitting tribute to Darwin. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. K. Wein University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Library Journal Review

Having just celebrated the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, it seems appropriate to reconsider the many ways his theories influence evolutionary thinking in all subjects, particularly writing. Boyd (University Distinguished Professor, English, Univ. of Auckland, New Zealand) reminds readers of the ways in which language is changing and adapting, the ways in which literature helps humans better understand our willingness and need to adapt, and why we tell stories. Using examples as diverse at Homer's Odyssey and the Dr. Seuss favorite Horton Hears a Who, Boyd offers a lively discussion of why human emotions are "triggered" by particular works, why those works hold our attention, and how storytellers derive solutions to fundamental human problems. The resulting book is a fascinating blend of the humanities and the sciences. Recommended for all academic libraries and for public libraries as interest warrants.-Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Animal, Human, Art, Story

Book I Evolution, Art, and Fiction

Part 1 Evolution and Nature Evolution and Human Nature?

Evolution, Adaptation, and Adapted Minds

The Evolution of Intelligence The Evolution of Cooperation

Part 2 Evolution and Art Art as Adaptation?

Art as Cognitive Play Art and Attention From Tradition to Innovation

Part 3 Evolution and Fiction Art, Narrative, Fiction

Understanding and Recalling Events

Narrative: Representing Events

Fiction: Inventing Events Fiction as Adaptation

Book II From Zeus to Seuss: Origins of Stories

Part 4 Phylogeny: The Odyssey

Earning Attention (1): Natural Patterns: Character and Plot

Earning Attention (2): Open-Ended Patterns: Ironies of Structure

The Evolution of Intelligence (1): In the Here and Now

The Evolution of Intelligence (2): Beyond the Here and Now

The Evolution of Cooperation (1): Expanding the Circle

The Evolution of Cooperation (2): Punishment

Part 5 Ontogeny: Horton Hears a Who!

Problems and Solutions: Working at Play

Levels of Explanation: Universal, Local, and Individual

Levels of Explanation: Individuality Again

Levels of Explanation: Particular Meanings

Conclusion

Retrospect and Prospects: Evolution, Literature, Criticism

Afterword

Evolution, Art, Story, Purpose

Notes

Bibliography

Index

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Bound With These Titles

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Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Reviews (2)

Choice Review

Library Journal Review

Table of Contents