Numbers and the Making of Us : Counting and the Course of Human Cultures

Carved into our past, woven into our present, numbers shape our perceptions of the world and of ourselves much more than we commonly think. __Numbers and the Making of Us__ is a sweeping account of how numbers radically enhanced our species’ cognitive capabilities and sparked a revolution in human culture. Caleb Everett brings new insights in psychology, anthropology, primatology, linguistics, and other disciplines to bear in explaining the myriad human behaviors and modes of thought numbers have made possible, from enabling us to conceptualize time in new ways to facilitating the development of writing, agriculture, and other advances of civilization. Number concepts are a human invention―a tool, much like the wheel, developed and refined over millennia. Numbers allow us to grasp quantities precisely, but they are not innate. Recent research confirms that most specific quantities are not perceived in the absence of a number system. In fact, without the use of numbers, we cannot precisely grasp quantities greater than three; our minds can only estimate beyond this surprisingly minuscule limit. Everett examines the various types of numbers that have developed in different societies, showing how most number systems derived from anatomical factors such as the number of fingers on each hand. He details fascinating work with indigenous Amazonians who demonstrate that, unlike language, numbers are not a universal human endowment. Yet without numbers, the world as we know it would not exist. Numbers And The Making Of Us Examines The Origins And Effects Of Numbers--words And Other Symbols For Quantities. It Focuses On The Influence That Numbers Have Had On Human Thought. As A Result Of This Influence, The Book Claims, Numbers Transformed The Human Narrative. This Transformation Is Supported By Data From Many Disciplines: Archaeology, Linguistics, Psychology, And Primatology. The Book Surveys The Types Of Number Systems That Have Been Innovated Independently In Languages Around The World, Most Of Which (like Our Own Decimal System) Owe Themselves In One Way Or Another To The Shape Of Our Hands. Furthermore, The Book Examines Evidence From Anumeric Humans, Such As Those The Author Has Conducted Research With In Amazonia, As It Advances The Following Claim: Numbers Served As A Pivotal Cognitive Invention, An Underappreciated Tool Whose Usage Ultimately Resulted In The Societies Most Of Us Now Live In. In Short, The Book Suggests That Verbal And Written Numbers Served As A Cognitive Foundation Of Sorts, Helping To Establish The Ground Floor Of All Sorts Of Distinctly Human Behaviors. These Include Elaborate Agriculture, Writing, The Telling Of Time, And Many Other Aspects Of The Human Experience That Are All Ultimately Dependent On The Simple Invention Of Numbers.-- Prologue: On The Success Of Our Species -- Part 1. Numbers Pervade The Human Experience. 1. Numbers Woven Into Our Present ; 2. Numbers Carved Into Our Past ; 3. A Numerical Journey Around The World Today ; 4. Beyond Number Words : Other Kinds Of Numeric Language -- Part 2. Worlds Without Numbers. 5. Anumeric People Today ; 6. Quantities In The Minds Of Young Children ; 7. Quantities In The Minds Of Animals -- Part 3. Numbers And The Shaping Of Our Lives. 8. Inventing Numbers And Arithmetic ; 9. Numbers And Culture : Subsistence And Symbolism ; 10. Transformative Tools. Caleb Everett. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. “A fascinating book.”—James Ryerson, New York Times Book ReviewA Smithsonian Best Science Book of the YearWinner of the PROSE Award for Best Book in Language & LinguisticsCarved into our past and woven into our present, numbers shape our perceptions of the world far more than we think. In this sweeping account of how the invention of numbers sparked a revolution in human thought and culture, Caleb Everett draws on new discoveries in psychology, anthropology, and linguistics to reveal the many things made possible by numbers, from the concept of time to writing, agriculture, and commerce.Numbers are a tool, like the wheel, developed and refined over millennia. They allow us to grasp quantities precisely, but recent research confirms that they are not innate—and without numbers, we could not fully grasp quantities greater than three. Everett considers the number systems that have developed in different societies as he shares insights from his fascinating work with indigenous Amazonians.“This is bold, heady stuff... The breadth of research Everett covers is impressive, and allows him to develop a narrative that is both global and compelling... Numbers is eye-opening, even eye-popping.”—New Scientist“A powerful and convincing case for Everett's main thesis: that numbers are neither natural nor innate to humans.”—Wall Street Journal Numbers and the Making of Us examines the origins and effects of numbers words and other symbols for quantities. It focuses on the influence that numbers have had on human thought. As a result of this influence, the book claims, numbers transformed the human narrative. This transformation is supported by data from many disciplines: archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and primatology. The book surveys the types of number systems that have been innovated independently in languages around the world, most of which (like our own decimal system) owe themselves in one way or another to the shape of our hands. Furthermore, the book examines evidence from anumeric humans, such as those the author has conducted research with in Amazonia, as it advances the following claim: Numbers served as a pivotal cognitive invention, an underappreciated tool whose usage ultimately resulted in the societies most of us now live in. In short, the book suggests that verbal and written numbers served as a cognitive foundation of sorts, helping to establish the ground floor of all sorts of distinctly human behaviors. These include elaborate agriculture, writing, the telling of time, and many other aspects of the human experience that are all ultimately dependent on the simple invention of numbers. Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Prologue: On the Success of Our Species 12 Part 1: Numbers Pervade the Human Experience 18 1. Numbers Woven into Our Present 20 2. Numbers Carved into Our Past 40 3. A Numerical Journey around the World Today 71 4. Beyond Number Words: Other Kinds of Numeric Language 97 Part 2: Worlds without Numbers 122 5. Anumeric People Today 124 6. Quantities in the Minds of Young Children 153 7. Quantities in the Minds of Animals 177 Part 3: Numbers and the Shaping of Our Lives 200 8. Inventing Numbers and Arithmetic 202 9. Numbers and Culture: Subsistence and Symbolism 224 10. Transformative Tools 251 Notes 272 Acknowledgments 300 Index 302