Resumen de The origin of mathematics
Even though human brains share aberrations with those of other animals, we have developed the ability to identify and overcome some of these flaws. Most obviously, we invented numbers: a system of notation that allows us to instantly deduce that 21 and 22 are as far apart as are 1 and 2. The creation of this complex, symbolic language for mathematics not only allows us to overcome certain such limitations of our subconscious mind, but also to explore abstract concepts in depth and communicate them to others. Ananthaswamy investigates how we developed the tools to consciously understand what our bodies do instinctively and looks at cultural aspects of numerical cognition.
