The Puzzle Instinct : The Meaning of Puzzles in Human Life

Human beings are born with an "instinct for puzzles" that betrays a larger search for meaning to life.

The puzzle instinct is as intrinsic to human nature as is language, humour, art, music and the other creative faculties that distinguish humanity from all other species Why are humans fascinated by puzzles?

Puzzle-addict and renowned communication theorist Marcel Danesi takes readers on an exploration of the philosophical implications of the puzzle instinct.

Puzzles are as old as humanity and the human instinct for puzzles betrays the larger perpetual search for meaning to life.

Danesi not only has included many in this book to puzzle over, he explores why we like to puzzle over them as well.

Among the smaller puzzles in this book are the solutions to some much larger puzzles: What is the necessary raison d'etre that puzzles serve, why did they emerge at the same time in history as myth, magic and the occult arts, and why can't we put them down.