Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104716 in Books
• Published on: 1984-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 168 pages

Customer Reviews

A book to challenge your thinking
With respect, I think the previous reviewer has missed the point of this excellent book. Yes, Braitenberg "personifies" simple electro-mechanical relationships. But his whole point in doing so is to make us aware of how readily we personify animate objects in our environment, including each other.

With a playfulness not usually found in the writings of neuroscientists, Braitenberg starts with very simple machines or vehicles that respond to their environment. He shows that, despite the simple internal workings of these machines, we would be likely to impute feelings and desires to them. As the book goes on, Braitenberg discusses increasingly complicated machines, although remaining firmly in the realm of things that could potentially be built. The later machines appear to be capable of impressive feats of memory, planning and foresight, and yet they are ultimately made up of "simple electro-mechanical relationships". By the close of the book, one realizes belatedly that Braitenberg has sketched out (in fable-like form) a possible history of the evolution of intelligence.

For all those fascinated by the question of how the complexities of human and animal behaviour arise from the relatively simple world of the neuron, this book is a must.

A Definite Read For A-Life and Robotics
This great book is for those not looking for an end but seeking a book that acts as a guide through the world of complexity. It is a starting place for new ideas and has been quoted several times by several people doing important research because it is such a great text.

Once again, no disrespect to the bottom reviewer but they completely missed the point of this fine work. This is not a summation book on the field but a starting point for new and creative ideas.

Fascinating and innovative approach to cognitive science
Braitenberg's small book provides an unique approach to the attempt to understand human cognitive processes. The appraoch is reductionist (in the best sense of the word) whilst at the same time employing his rule of 'downhill analysis and uphill synthesis'. This rule allows Braitenberg to explain features of human cognition by gradual, easily understood, steps from simpler stages.

An excellent read for anyone interested in cognition or evolution.