Dr. Dubos' work as a microbiologist and his philosophical writings
have always stressed the importance of studying interactions - the
dynamic interplay - whether between microbe and cell, or man and
society. He was an ecologist long before the word assumed its
present vogue. In this work he expresses concern for the future of
man given the pressures of population, pollution, and the
meaningless or harmful detritus of an over "technicized" society.
These forces work against the uniqeness of the individual and there
is a real danger that man's social evolution could be altered by
powers of selection which favor individuals more easily regimented,
more noise-and smell-proof. Dr. Dubos sympathizes with today's
youthful rebels but argues for a positive program: let science
apply its techniques and methods to studying the shapes of space,
the needs of sensitive man; find out which are the ingredients of
the environment most harmful or destructive; which can be
encouraged both pre- and post-natally to bring about the fullest
expression of man's personal uniqueness and freedom. The range of
Dubos' references - Charles Abrams or Jane Jacobs on one page,
Martin Bub?? or Jack London on another - and his felicity of style
make for pleasurable and stimulating reading. (Kirkus Reviews)
At least until cloning becomes the order of the day, Rene Dubos
contends that each human being is unique, unprecedented,
unrepeatable. However, today each person faces the critical danger
of losing this very humanness to his mechanized surroundings. Most
people spend their days in a confusion of concrete and steel,
trapped "in the midst of noise, dirt, ugliness and absurdity." So
begins the essential message of the work of one of the great
figures in microbiology and experimental pathology of this
century.
Is the human species becoming dehumanized by the condition of
his environment? So "Human an Animal "is an attempt to address this
broad concern, and explain why so little is being done to address
this issue. The book sounds both an urgent warning, and offers
important policy insights into how this trend towards
dehumanization can be halted and finally reversed. Dubos asserts
that we are as much the product of our total environment as of our
genetic endowment. In fact, the environment we live in can greatly
enhance, or severely Hmit, the development of human potential. Yet
we are deplorably ignorant of the effects of our surroundings on
human life. We create conditions which can only thwart human
nature.
So "Human an Animal "is a book with hope no less than alarm. As
Joseph Wood Krutch noted at the time, Dubos shows convincingly "why
science is indispensable, not omnipotent." Science'can change our
suicidal course by learning to deal analytically with the living
experience of human beings, by supplementing the knowledge of
things and of the body machine with a science of human life. Only
then can we give larger scope to human freedom by providing a
rational basis for option and action. Timely, eloquent, and guided
by a deep humanistic spirit, this new edition is graced by a
succinct and careful outline of the life and work of the
author.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
