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The Puzzle Instinct: The Meaning of Puzzles in Human Life
One of the most famous anagrams of all time was constructed in the Middle Ages. The unknown author contrived it as a Latin dialogue between Pilate and Jesus. Jesus� answer to Pilate’s question "What is truth" is phrased as an ingenious anagram of the letters of that very Quid est veritas? ("What is truth?") Est virqui adest. ("It is the man before you.") The origin of anagrams is shrouded in mystery. One thing is clear, however―in the ancient world, they were thought to contain hidden messages from the gods. Legend has it that even Alexander the Great (356�323 b.c.) believed in their prophetic power.
―from Chapter Two The most obvious explanation for the popularity of puzzles is that they provide a form of constructive entertainment. But in The Puzzle Instinct Marcel Danesi contends that the fascination with puzzles throughout the ages suggests something much more profound. Puzzles serve a deeply embedded need in people to make sense of things. Emerging at the same time in human history as myth, magic, and the occult arts, the puzzle instinct, he claims, led to discoveries in mathematics and science, as well as revolutions in philosophical thought. Puzzles fill an existential void by providing "small-scale experiences of the large-scale questions that Life poses. The puzzle instinct is, arguably, as intrinsic to human nature as is humor, language, art, music, and all the other creative faculties that distinguish humanity from all other species."
―from Chapter Two The most obvious explanation for the popularity of puzzles is that they provide a form of constructive entertainment. But in The Puzzle Instinct Marcel Danesi contends that the fascination with puzzles throughout the ages suggests something much more profound. Puzzles serve a deeply embedded need in people to make sense of things. Emerging at the same time in human history as myth, magic, and the occult arts, the puzzle instinct, he claims, led to discoveries in mathematics and science, as well as revolutions in philosophical thought. Puzzles fill an existential void by providing "small-scale experiences of the large-scale questions that Life poses. The puzzle instinct is, arguably, as intrinsic to human nature as is humor, language, art, music, and all the other creative faculties that distinguish humanity from all other species."
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2002
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125 people want to read
About the author
Marcel Danesi
261Ìýbooks34ÌýfollowersMarcel Danesi (b. Marcello Danesi, 1946) is a current Professor of Semiotics and Linguistic Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He is known for his work in language, communications, and semiotics; being Director of the Program in Semiotics and Communication Theory.
He has also held positions at Rutgers University (1972), The University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1988), the Catholic University of Milan (1990), and the University of Lugano.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Semiotica: Journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies and is a past-president of the Semiotic Society of America.
He has also held positions at Rutgers University (1972), The University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1988), the Catholic University of Milan (1990), and the University of Lugano.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Semiotica: Journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies and is a past-president of the Semiotic Society of America.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 19, 2017
Since I write profound philosophy and fun puzzle books, this book has been an essential element in my research. It has some good information and interesting insights, though it is not a smooth, engaging read.
Danesi is a brilliant scholar and his passion for the topic shines through. If you want data, diagrams, delineation and a splash of insight on why we puzzle, this is a good book to include in a survey of top books in the field.
Danesi is a brilliant scholar and his passion for the topic shines through. If you want data, diagrams, delineation and a splash of insight on why we puzzle, this is a good book to include in a survey of top books in the field.
June 19, 2012
[TO EXPAND. Strong points: humans have an innate puzzle instinct; interesting take on the psychology of solving puzzles; excellent review of ancient puzzles; nice set of discussed and left as "todo" puzzles; nice collection of trivia. Weak points: insufficient coverage of the puzzle development (industry) since the 1970s; author too biased in proving the main idea--defines puzzles as, essentially, all the quizzes we use for education purposes; some trivial examples are explained in too much detail, even towards the end of the book]
June 30, 2007
Weak. Good bibliography.
January 17, 2012
The concept of the book was interesting, unfortunately the writing style left much to be desired. It read a lot more like a thesis or an academic textbook.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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