The Animal and the Thinker
Instinct, Reason and the Dance of Our Divided Selves
- Published: 10 July 2025
- ISBN: 9780753560952
- Imprint: Virgin Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 432
A tour de force. John Duncan has marshalled his experience as a world-class cognitive neuroscientist to remind us that whilst reason seems to define the human mind, the role of our animal instincts, as studied through Darwinian ethology, powerfully shape our behaviour and our social values. Duncan writes with an elegant clarity which is simultaneously thought-provoking and entertaining
Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, University of Cambridge
Electric... a book full of good science, sage advice and deep understanding of the human condition
Professor Robin Dunbar, University of Oxford
John Duncan is one of the most interesting and thoughtful scientists to tackle the complexities of the human brain, and in this provocative and enjoyable book he explores how we are simultaneously rational and logical, but also animalistic and reactive in our thoughts and behaviour. Spanning human experience, from laughter to logic, he delves into the conflicts and convergences of these different brain systems with wit and insight
Professor Sophie Scott CBE