The Curious Lives of Octopuses
Eliane Mitchell

10 November 2017

Octopuses live in a world of paradox. Though colorblind, they change their pigment to match their surrounding area. Though brilliant, they average a lifespan of only 2 to 4 years.

Other Minds: The Octopus, The Sea, and The Deep Origins of Consciousness, by philosopher of science Peter Godfrey-Smith, attempts to resolve these paradoxes in the complex lives of octopuses. In a review of the book by Alva Noë, Noë remarks at Godfrey-Smith's findings from his descent into the deep.

Read the review here:

http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/01/13/509456836/philosophy-in-the-...

 

Comments (1)


Harold G. Neuman's picture

Harold G. Neuman

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 -- 12:22 PM

Sounds like a book I want to

Sounds like a book I want to read---when I can get my hands on it. Begs a question: Did consciousness begin in the sea? Oh, silly question, that!: LIFE began in the sea, didn't it? Consciousness evolved with the evolution of life, right? And to think, those smart-ass mollusks only live 2 to 4 years? Paradox is interesting...