The Philosophical Baby

<p>For most of us, having a baby is the most profound, intense, and fascinating experience of our lives. Now scientists and philosophers are starting to appreciate babies, too. <br><br>The last decade has witnessed<b> a revolution in our understanding of infants and young children</b>. Scientists used to believe that babies were irrational, and that their thinking and experience were limited. Recently, they have discovered that <b>babies learn more, create more, care more, and experience more than we could ever have imagined</b>. And there is good reason to believe that <b>babies are actually cleverer, more thoughtful, and even more conscious than adults.<br></b><br>This <b>new science holds answers to some of the deepest and oldest questions about what it means to be human</b>. A new baby's captivated gaze at her mother's face lays the foundations for love and morality. A toddler's unstoppable explorations of his playpen hold the key to scientific discovery. A three-year-old's wild make-believe explains how we can imagine the future, write novels, and invent new technologies. <br><br>Alison Gopnik - a leading psychologist and philosopher, as well as a mother - explains the <b>groundbreaking new psychological, neuroscientific, and philosophical developments</b> in our understanding of very young children, transforming our understanding of how babies see the world, and in turn promoting a deeper appreciation for the role of parents.</p> <p>For most of us, having a baby is the most profound, intense, and fascinating experience of our lives. Now scientists and philosophers are starting to appreciate babies, too. <br><br>The last decade has witnessed<b> a revolution in our understanding of infants and young children</b>. Scientists used to believe that babies were irrational, and that their thinking and experience were limited. Recently, they have discovered that <b>babies learn more, create more, care more, and experience more than we could ever have imagined</b>. And there is good reason to believe that <b>babies are actually cleverer, more thoughtful, and even more conscious than adults.<br></b><br>This <b>new science holds answers to some of the deepest and oldest questions about what it means to be human</b>. A new baby's captivated gaze at her mother's face lays the foundations for love and morality. A toddler's unstoppable explorations of his playpen hold the key to scientific discovery. A three-year-old's wild make-believe explains how we can imagine the future, write novels, and invent new technologies. <br><br>Alison Gopnik - a leading psychologist and philosopher, as well as a mother - explains the <b>groundbreaking new psychological, neuroscientific, and philosophical developments</b> in our understanding of very young children, transforming our understanding of how babies see the world, and in turn promoting a deeper appreciation for the role of parents.</p>