Are We Unique: A Scientist Explores the Unparalleled Intelligence of the Human Mind

The question posed in the title of James Trefil's exhilarating book conjures countless other questions regarding what makes us human--among them, what are our roles and responsibilities on Earth, and what constitutes intelligence? In his commentary on the cognitive abilities of animals--from mammals to crustaceans--and artificial intelligence, Trefil presents a witty, compelling argument in support of the human mind's superiority. In a manner less deliberately analytical than that employed by the likes of I.B.M.'s Deep Blue, the author cites high art and mankind's capacity for intuition, among other examples, as proof of the power and nearly limitless creativity of the human brain. He doesn't downplay the importance of computers or pit man against machine; rather, Trefil shows his respect for technology and suggests that its presence will lead to a greater understanding of intelligence and the human condition.