In the texts of this multi-authored book, which offers new perspectives on
social cognition, we set out by trying to reconstruct the evolution of social
cognition in animals, especially our closest relatives, the great apes. We then
discuss the evolution of culture, an exceptional element of human social life,
and its reciprocal interaction with our brain. Finally, we focus on
psychopathological conditions, which can, in many instances, be understood
as a functional disruption of brain mechanisms normally safeguarding social
cognitive performance. Accordingly, the book is organised in four major
sections pertaining to these topics.