The Unique Animal

Bod takes readers on a fascinating journey to discover what sets us apart from other animals – and what we have in common. The dividing line is marked by the uniquely human power of recursion: thinking about thinking, and then thinking about that.

Wolves reach decisions democratically. Ants can count to twenty. Bees and ants use forms of majority rule. And plants – not just animals – communicate with each other. But humans and animals differ on one crucial matter: the ability to reflect on thoughts. ‘The fact that we’re able to endlessly search for patterns in patterns,’ says Rens Bod, ‘is what I call unlimited recursion. And it appears to be unique to humans.’

Bod explores the limits of our knowledge through the lens of multiple scientific disciplines, searching for answers that not only help us to understand who we are, but also appreciate what connects us to other living beings. Rens Bod gathers numerous – supposedly unique – human qualities and researches whether these differences and similarities originate from a much deeper pattern.

 At the end of this groundbreaking book, the author offers a crystal-clear answer to what connects people, animals and other life forms as well as what continues to set them apart.

• English translation of the book is in the pipeline

• Successful author whose book The Forgotten Sciences, discussing the history of social sciences, was released in seven countries.

• Should beings other than humans have rights? This book will change your thinking.