The Recursive Mind: The Origins of Human Language, Thought, and Civilization - Updated Edition Michael C. Corballis is an English-language textbook about the origin and workings of our recursive mind. The book is aimed at students and professionals who are interested in cognitive psychology, language development, and evolutionary biology.
Corballis discusses how the recursive mind— the ability to place thoughts within thoughts—sets us apart in the animal kingdom. This cognitive principle enables us not only to understand our own mind but also that of others, and it makes mental “time travel” possible, integrating memories and future imaginings in the present. These insights explain how language, speech, and complex societies emerged and evolved throughout human history.
The book combines knowledge from neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and archaeology and offers an in-depth understanding of how our thoughts and language have evolved.
Key themes: cognitive psychology, evolution, language development, and social cooperation.