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Title: The Moral Animal : Why We Are, the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology by Robert Wright ISBN: 0-679-76399-6 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 29 August, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.99 (92 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Mostly highs
Comment: Robert Wright is an exponent of the "evolutionary psychology" movement - that is, the notion that our civilization and its institutions, manners, laws, customs and religions are all a part of the evolutionary process. We are the sum of our genes but we are much more than that - the moral animal. We worry about what others think about us, about what we do, about right and wrong and evil and love and good and bad.
Wilson has made similar arguments in his excellent works and this book is a supporting cast member in the long drama of evolutionary science. The book is not technical but it is extremely interesting - discussing such concepts as male, female, sex, family, groups, altruism - all with a focused eye and calm, measured vocabulary. He looks at our reasons for doing what we do, why we like certain people and more importantly, why we dislike others and live life as we do.
One problem common to many books of this type is the almost worshipful homage to Darwin. His thoughts on many subjects are treated as Scripture at times and his life is studied for what he offers in other realms besides natural selection. While Darwin may have brought about a synthesis of scientific thought at the time, it is fair to say that technically he was surpassed long ago. In the end, this is a book about the qualities that make us human and different than other animals on Earth.
Rating: 4
Summary: Fresh perspective on the complex origins of human nature
Comment: The author chooses Darwin to serve as an illustration of the principles of evolutionary psychology, developing a compelling biographical narrative and thereby broadening the appeal of his book. My only quibble is that the final chapters seemed unnecessarily defensive, as if the author imagined that the only readers that would hang on that long would be hecklers.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Intro to Evolutionary Psychology
Comment: Start here for a great introduction to our behavioral evolution. Well written and interesting, this book gives new insights into why we do what we do and how we got here. Highly recommended.
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Title: Nonzero : The Logic of Human Destiny by Robert Wright ISBN: 0679758941 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 09 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins ISBN: 0192860925 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: September, 1990 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker ISBN: 0670031518 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 26 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker ISBN: 0393318486 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation by Matt Ridley ISBN: 0140264450 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: April, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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