Editors Daniel S. Levine and Wesley R. Elsberry and the contributors to this book discuss whether, and how, some design features of nervous systems and machines are optimal for performing some cognitive functions. The authors bring insight from neural network theory and applications, robotics, computer science, biological psychiatry, economics, linguistics, and sociology. Some chapters are of particular interest to those dealing with efficient neurocomputing. Others are of interest to those dealing with biological evolution and the scientific foundation of values.