The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence

Methodology and Conclusions

In «The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence», Carl Sagan employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining data from biology, anthropology, psychology, and neuroscience to study the evolution of the human mind. He analyzes brain development across different species, including humans, and considers how evolutionary changes in the brain affect behavior and consciousness. Sagan focuses on the comparative analysis of the human brain and those of other primates, and explores the role of sleep and dreams in cognitive processes. The book's conclusions emphasize that the human mind is the product of a long evolutionary process, and that many aspects of our behavior and thinking can be explained through the lens of evolution. Sagan also discusses the potential consequences of scientific and technological progress for the future development of the mind and consciousness.