In this incisive study of the biological and cultural origins of the human self, the author challenges readers to re-think ideas about the self and consciousness as being exclusive to humans. In their place, he expounds a metatheoretical approach to the self as a purposeful system of extended cognition common to animal life: the invisible medium maintaining mind, body and environment as an integrated 'field of being'. Supported by recent research in evolutionary and developmental studies together with related discoveries in animal behaviour and the neurosciences, the author examines the factors that have shaped the evolution of the animal self across widely different species and times, through to the modern, technologically enmeshed human self; the differences between which, he contends, are relations of degree rather than absolute differences. We are, he concludes, instinctive and 'fuzzy individuals' clinging to fragile identities in an artificial and volatile world of humanity's own making, but which we now struggle to control. This book, which restores the self to its fundamental place in identity formation, will be of great interest for students and academics in the fields of social, developmental and environmental psychology, together with readers from other disciplines in the humanities, especially philosophy, cultural theory and architecture.

The Self-Field (Routledge Research in Psychology)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Abel, Chris

Mental Health

Routledge

In this incisive study of the biological and cultural origins of the human self, the author challenges readers to re-think ideas about the self and consciousness as being exclusive to humans. In their place, he expounds a metatheoretical approach to the self as a purposeful system of extended cognition common to animal life: the invisible medium maintaining mind, body and environment as an integrated ‘field of being’. 
Supported by recent research in evolutionary and developmental studies together with related discoveries in animal behaviour and the neurosciences, the author examines the factors that have shaped the evolution of the animal self across widely different species and times, through to the modern, technologically enmeshed human self; the differences between which, he contends, are relations of degree rather than absolute differences. We are, he concludes, instinctive and ‘fuzzy individuals’ clinging to fragile identities in an artificial and volatile world of humanity’s own making, but which we now struggle to control. 
This book, which restores the self to its fundamental place in identity formation, will be of great interest for students and academics in the fields of social, developmental and environmental psychology, together with readers from other disciplines in the humanities, especially philosophy, cultural theory and architecture.

The Self-Field: Mind, Body and Environment (Routledge Research in Psychology)

Renault Centre: Architecture in Detail 04

Arts & Photography

Architecture

wiley

In his wide-ranging study of architecture and cultural evolution, Chris Abel argues that despite progress in sustainable development and design, resistance to changing personal and social identities shaped by a technology-based and energy-hungry culture is impeding efforts to avert drastic climate change. The book traces the roots of that culture to the coevolution of Homo sapiens and technology, from the first use of tools as artificial extensions of the human body, to the motorised cities spreading around the world, whose uncontrolled effects are changing the planet itself. Advancing a new concept of the meme, called the 'technical meme', as the primary agent of cognitive extension and technical embodiment, Abel proposes a theory of the 'extended self' encompassing material and spatial as well as psychological and social elements. Drawing upon research from philosophy, psychology and the neurosciences, the book presents a new approach to environmental and cultural studies that will appeal to a broad readership searching for insights into the crisis.

The extended self: Architecture, memes and minds

Politics & Social Sciences

Anthropology

Manchester University Press

In his wide-ranging study of architecture and cultural evolution, Chris Abel argues that, despite progress in sustainable development and design, resistance to changing personal and social identities shaped by a technology-based and energy-hungry culture is impeding efforts to avert drastic climate change. The book traces the roots of that culture to the coevolution of Homo sapiens and technology, from the first use of tools as artificial extensions of the human body, to the motorised cities spreading around the world, whose uncontrolled effects are changing the planet itself. Advancing a new concept of the meme, called the 'technical meme', as the primary agent of cognitive extension and technical embodiment, Abel proposes a theory of the 'extended self' encompassing material and spatial as well as psychological and social elements, which now reaches out into the virtual world of cyberspace. Drawing upon research from philosophy, psychology and the neurosciences, the book presents a new approach to environmental and cultural studies. Written in a clear and engaging manner, it addresses a broad readership searching for insights into the origins of the environmental crisis.

A collection of 17 essays, revised from their first publications between the late 1960s and the 1980s. Abel (architecture, U. of Nottingham, England) explores the scientific, technological, and theoretical developments shaping modern architecture. Among his topics are ditching the dinosaur sanctuary, rationality and meaning in design, and localization versus globalization. Illustrated with black-and-white drawings and photographs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Architecture and Identity: Towards a Global Eco-Culture

Science & Math

Nature & Ecology

Architectural Pr

This new selection of essays follows Chris Abel's previous best selling collection, Architecture and Identity. Drawing upon a wide range of knowledge and disciplines, the author argues that, underlying technological changes in the process of architectural production are fundamental changes in the way we think about machines and the world we live in.Key topics include: new patterns of urbanism in the fast growing cities of asia pacific; metaphorical extensions of mind and body in cyberspace; the divergent European and North American values shaping Sir Norman Foster's and Frank Gehry's work, and the collaborative work methods and technologies creating the adaptable design pratices of today. * Provides a unique perspective on new developments in architecture and urban design in Asia Pacific and many other parts of the world* Includes valuable insights into the innovation process* Shows how biological and cybernetic approaches are reshaping concepts and methods of architectural design and production

Architecture, Technology and Process

Technology

'Instead of tuning the consumer to the machine we can now tune the machine to the consumer' This edited collection of essays, now in its second edition, brings together the author's key writings on the cultural, technological and theoretical developments reshaping Modern architecture into a responsive and diverse movement for the twenty-first century. Chris Abel approaches his subject from a wide range of knowledge, including cybernetics, philosophy, new human science and development planning, as well as his experience as a teacher and critic on four continents. The result is a unique global perspective on the changing nature of Modern architecture at the turn of the millennium. Including two new chapters, this revised and expanded second edition offers radical insights into such topics as: the impact of information technology on customized architecture production; the relations between tradition and innovation; prospects for a global eco-culture, and the local and global forces shaping the architecture and cities of Asia. Chris Abel is an architectural writer and educator, based in Malta. He has taught at major universities in the UK, North and South America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and is a contributor to numerous international journals and other publications. He currently holds visiting appointments at the University of Malta and the University of the Phillippines. *New chapters on 'The bio-tech architecture workshop' and 'Architecture in the Pacific ocean'. *Global perspective on architecture. *Deals with complex and challenging issues in a highly readable manner.

Architecture and Identity: Responses to Cultural and Technological Change

Expanding his collected essays on architectural theory and criticism, Chris Abel pursues his explorations across disciplinary and regional boundaries in search of a deeper understanding of architecture in the evolution of human culture and identity formation. From his earliest writings predicting the computer-based revolution in customized architectural production, through his novel studies on ‘tacit knowing’ in design or hybridization in regional and colonial architecture, to his radical theory of the ‘extended self’, Abel has been a consistently fresh and provocative thinker, contesting both conventions and intellectual fashions. This revised third edition includes a new introduction and six additional chapters by the author covering a broad range of related topics, up to recent concerns with genetic design methods and virtual selves. Together with the former essays, the book presents a unique global perspective on the changing cultural issues and technologies shaping human identities and the built environment in diverse parts of the world, both East and West.

History & Criticism

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Abel, Chris. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Abel, Chris

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Abel, Chris. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Self-Field (Routledge Research in Psychology)

The Self-Field: Mind, Body and Environment (Routledge Research in Psychology)

Renault Centre: Architecture in Detail 04

The extended self: Architecture, memes and minds

The extended self: Architecture, memes and minds

Architecture and Identity: Towards a Global Eco-Culture

Architecture, Technology and Process

Architecture and Identity: Responses to Cultural and Technological Change

Architecture and Identity: Responses to Cultural and Technological Change

Architecture and Identity: Responses to Cultural and Technological Change