The Robot's Rebellion

Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin

Keith E Stanovich author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:The University of Chicago Press

Published:8th Jun '04

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Robot's Rebellion cover

This thought-provoking book examines the idea that humans may be mere vessels for replicators. The Robot's Rebellion advocates for rational self-determination.

In The Robot's Rebellion, Keith Stanovich explores the unsettling notion that humans may merely serve as vessels for replicators, specifically genes and memes. This provocative idea stems from decades of research in evolutionary biology and cognitive science, leading to the conclusion that our existence might be more about replication than morality or free will. Stanovich challenges readers to confront this reality and offers a framework for a cognitive reform that empowers individuals to prioritize human interests over the impersonal motives of these replicators.

The author introduces the concept of the 'robot's rebellion,' a movement towards rational self-determination that allows humans to take control of their lives. By integrating principles from cognitive science with evolutionary logic, The Robot's Rebellion outlines how individuals can structure their behavior to align with their own goals. This process not only addresses the need for significance in human life but also highlights the unique ability of humans to engage in rational thought and decision-making.

Ultimately, Stanovich argues that recognizing our potential as 'robots' can lead to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. The book encourages readers to embrace their capacity for rationality and self-determination, suggesting that by doing so, they can reclaim agency in a world where replicators dominate. Through this lens, The Robot's Rebellion serves as a call to action for individuals to reclaim their narrative and redefine their existence.

"Stanovich offers readers a sweeping tour of theory and research, advancing a programme of 'cognitive reform' that puts human interests first.... By making the point that cognition is optimized at the level of genes, not of individuals, Stanovich puts a fresh spin on the familiar claim that people are sometimes woefully irrational.... With The Robot's Rebellion, he sets himself apart from unreflective thinkers on both sides of the divide by taking evolutionary accounts of cognition seriously, even as he urges us to improve on what evolution has wrought." - Valerie M. Chase, Nature "According to Stanovich, we're only just beginning to grapple with the deep consequences of Darwin's theory of natural selection. One such consequence, Richard Dawkins's theory of the 'selfish gene,' implies that living creatures are mere vehicles constructed to facilitate the survival and replication of genes. While Stanovich...agrees with the basic idea of the selfish gene, he finds fault with the conclusion that we are simply at its mercy....A deep exploration of the philosophical and scientific ramifications of Darwinian evolution." - Publishers Weekly"

ISBN: 9780226770895

Dimensions: 23mm x 16mm x 3mm

Weight: 652g

374 pages