Big Heads

Synopsis: Documentary series on evolutionary biology. In this episode presenter Dr Armand Leroi speaks of the levels of sophistication in the human brain and one of the examples given is Othello. Othello and Iago are seen playing chess and are interrupted by the presenter and Robin Dunbar from the Universiy of Liverpool, an evolutionary psychologist who has made a particular study of Othello. He explains the different levels of intentionality on view - between the players on view, then bringing in those players in the drama not on view, then the audience’s point of view, and finally the point of view of the author. Such a level of complexity is beyond the average chimpanzeee. They make a point of saying that Desdemona does not understand what is going on to the same degree as the others in the drama, and then shows her being strangled. Is Desdemona less evolutionary advanced?
Series: What Makes Us Human?
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 12 Aug 2006 at 20:10 (Channel: Channel Four)
Duration: 60 mins

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