SELECTED AS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 BY WATERSTONES AND THE TIMES

"Entertaining and original." - Guardian

"Accessible and insightful, it's a thought-provoking read." - Observer

"Highly readable." - The Times

"Nothing short of amazing." - Wall Street Journal

What if human intelligence was actually more of a burden than a gift? After all, the animal kingdom, in all its species, does just fine without it. A first glance at human history reveals astonishing feats of intelligence, yet human exceptionalism may be a double-edged sword. With our unique cognitive ability come serious consequences, such as existential angst, violence, discrimination, and the creation of a world teetering on the brink of climate catastrophe. What if human exceptionalism was more of a curse than a blessing?

As Justin Gregg puts it, there is an evolutionary reason why human intelligence is not more widespread in the animal kingdom. Quite simply, non-human animals don't need it to succeed. And, miraculously, their success comes without the added heavy burden of self-destruction and planetary destruction. In seven thoughtful and humorous chapters, Gregg highlights traits that seem to be unique to humans - our use of language, our logic, our moral systems, our so-called complex consciousness - and compares them to our counterparts in nature. What emerges is both revealing and astonishing and will change the way you see animals, humans, and the very concept of life.

Pages: 320, Year of Publication: 0809, Dimensions: 15.4x15.4cm