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A review by sense_of_history
The Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional by Agustín Fuentes
It is impossible to discuss the whole scope of this book. I limit myself to the introduction and one of the chapters on human evolution. Agustin Fuentes is not exactly modest to begin with: “The goal of this book is a far more nuanced, complete, and judicious account of our evolution than has previously been possible. This new story is based on a synthesis of the full range of relevant research, old and new, across evolutionary biology, genetics, primate behavior, anthropology, archaeology, psychology, neuroscience, ecology, and even philosophy.” So here we are back to the theory of evolution and the endless debates about it. The author admits that he is a supporter of the EES, the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis. It offers a different take on the classical concept of natural selection: “Rather than being a lethal competition for survival in which the biggest, baddest, and “fittest” battle it out on the playing field of life, natural selection is a filtering process that shapes variation in response to constraints and pressures in the environment.” It is therefore not surprising that Fuentes, wherever he can, puts the emphasis on the factor of cooperation in (pre)human evolution. So much so that you wonder if this book should not have been titled 'The cooperation spark', but I must admit that the aspect of creativity is certainly touched upon at least as often.
Many books on prehistorian times indulge in unbridled speculation, which is understandable given the very limited source material available to us, but which really frustrates me when done without scruples. Archaeology has progressed by leaps and bounds in recent decades (with 'ancient DNA research' being the most recent novelty), but it remains an almost impossible task to interpret the finds in a reliable manner. It’s obvious that also Fuentes has to proceed speculatively. But in his case it is done in a prudent, reasoned manner, based on concrete archaeological material and sustained by the most recent theories of the social sciences. That results in a plausible story about human evolution, with the necessary nuances and an eye for the gaps.
Fuentes even succeeds in convincingly knocking one of my admired authors, Steven Pinker, off his pedestal. Referring to [b:The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined|24856335|The Better Angels of Our Nature Why Violence Has Declined|Steven Pinker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423274389l/24856335._SX50_.jpg|16029496], he shows that Pinker’s analysis of violence in prehistoric times is built on quicksand. That critique touches me, of course, but it strengthens my appreciation for Fuentes, without completely undermining Pinker's thesis. In short, this is a book that certainly provides much inspiration to better understand the earliest evolution of man.
Many books on prehistorian times indulge in unbridled speculation, which is understandable given the very limited source material available to us, but which really frustrates me when done without scruples. Archaeology has progressed by leaps and bounds in recent decades (with 'ancient DNA research' being the most recent novelty), but it remains an almost impossible task to interpret the finds in a reliable manner. It’s obvious that also Fuentes has to proceed speculatively. But in his case it is done in a prudent, reasoned manner, based on concrete archaeological material and sustained by the most recent theories of the social sciences. That results in a plausible story about human evolution, with the necessary nuances and an eye for the gaps.
Fuentes even succeeds in convincingly knocking one of my admired authors, Steven Pinker, off his pedestal. Referring to [b:The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined|24856335|The Better Angels of Our Nature Why Violence Has Declined|Steven Pinker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423274389l/24856335._SX50_.jpg|16029496], he shows that Pinker’s analysis of violence in prehistoric times is built on quicksand. That critique touches me, of course, but it strengthens my appreciation for Fuentes, without completely undermining Pinker's thesis. In short, this is a book that certainly provides much inspiration to better understand the earliest evolution of man.