The Pattern Seekers

‘Celebrates human cognitive diversity, and is rich with empathy and psychological insight’ Steven Pinker

Why can humans alone invent? In this book, psychologist and world renowned autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen puts forward a bold new theory- because we can identify patterns, specifically if-and-then patterns. And he argues that the genes for this unique ability overlap with the genes for autism.

From the first musical instrument to the agricultural, industrial and digital revolutions, Baron-Cohen shows how this unique ability has driven human progress for 70,000 years. By linking one of our greatest human strengths with a condition that is so often misunderstood, The Pattern Seekers challenges us to think differently about those who think differently.

Author Biography

Simon Baron-Cohen is professor of psychology and psychiatry and Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University. He is the author of 600 scientific articles and four books, including Zero Degrees of Empathy and The Essential Difference.