Book Review: The Dragons of Eden

The Late Carl Sagan's Speculation on Human Intelligence and Myth

Dec 17, 2008

Although it is over 30 years old, The Dragons of Eden still works well as a primer on the evolution of human intelligence and how human and animal brains work.

The Late Carl Sagan is best known for his books and television shows that deal with the larger universe around us, but in The Dragons of Eden, he turns his keen scientific mind inward to explore the universe within each of us, the human brain.

Parallels in Mythology

In the introduction Sagan explains, "The title of the book itself comes from the unexpected aptness of several different myths." What he means by this is that in many ways the modern science that explains the biology, physics and cosmology often finds itself lining up with various fables and mythology, at least in metaphorical terms.

In the chapter that explores the biological evidence for the leap from hunter/gatherer to a civilized, non-migratory state of existence, Sagan cites the Biblical story of Cain and Abel as a myth that metaphorically parallels that moment in history. Cain, as the inventor of agriculture, symbolizes the very modern human traits of invention and murder.

"The connection between murder and invention has been with us ever since. Both derive from agriculture and civilization."

Sagan acknowledges that there is evidence of murder within human groups in pre-agricultural times, but the metaphor still holds on a general level.

Other myths passed down from humanity's dim past also hold metaphorical value when placed against scientific evidence and Sagan explores many of them, from dragon mythology to the story of Prometheus.

Less Metaphorical Tales

Along with the intertwined metaphor of mythology, Sagan explores a good deal of hard scientific evidence and theory. Not all of the thirty year old speculation holds up. Sagan's idea that chimpanzees that learn sign language might well pass it along to their offspring without human intervention doesn't seem to have borne out, for example. Still, despite some missteps and a few hypotheses that have since been superseded by evidence, The Dragons of Eden provides an excellent entry level text for the layman interested in exploring what makes the human mind work the way it does.

Like all good scientists, Sagan would be the first to express his enthusiasm in seeing an hypothesis of his proven wrong by the scientific method. Science is a plastic disciple that embraces the new and isn't afraid to throw away that which is proven incorrect.

Evolution, Dreams and Bestial Intelligence

While mainly concerned with human intelligence, where it comes from and where it is going, Sagan takes several tangents. He takes time to explore the parallels of evolutionary development in primates and other animals and the ability of biological entities other than humans to think in the abstract. He also touches on dreams and the fact that certain creatures (primates, mammals and even birds) dream while their antecedents, the reptiles and fish do not.

Sagan's style, well known to many science enthusiasts from his television specials and appearances on popular talk shows prior to his untimely death in 1996, comes through on every page. In a relaxed, conversational tone, he manages to convey highly complex concepts clearly and without jargon. His love of science and his passion for teaching it make The Dragons of Eden a joy to read. The closing passage in the book, a quote from Jacob Bronowski, reflects exactly that.

"We are a scientific civilization. That means a civilization in which knowledge and its integrity are crucial. Science is only a Latin word for knowledge....Knowledge is our destiny."

The copyright of the article Book Review: The Dragons of Eden in Science Books is owned by James Richardson. Permission to republish Book Review: The Dragons of Eden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.