Bittersweet Destiny combines discourse on the evolution of human
behavior with a philosophical perspective. It explores evolutionary
theory aimed at determining human behavior. Del Thiessen presents
this material against the broad background of everyday life,
allowing the reader to see the theory of evolution as it has shaped
his or her own behavior. However, he points out that when
evolutionary theory is aimed at human behavior, the critics object,
and controversy results.
Thiessen argues that nothing in our lives makes sense unless we
look at it through a biological lens. We can thereby understand our
origin, our affiliation with all animals and plants, and our
cultural destination. However, we can also discover a dark side to
our destiny--our favoritism to those who share our own genes, our
ability to deceive, and our capacity for abuse, rape, and murder.
Good, bad, and indifferent, we serve the replication of our DNA.
Critics extrapolate evolutionary theory to a wide range of animal
species, and even human morphology and physiology, but when the
same perspective is applied to human behavior there is strong
dissent. What these critics fear, according to Thiessen, is that
accepting evolutionary notions about human behavior strikes at the
heart of free will, self-determination, and social equality.
Bittersweet Destiny describes the heroic efforts of naturalists
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace to unlock the secrets of
evolution. It continues with a vivid description of our fossil
history and our chance beginnings. From there the story implicates
disease processes in evolution, highlights our rational and
irrational nature, focuses on those characteristics of brain
evolution and language that make us distinctive, and illustrates
our most basic survival and reproductive mechanisms. Thiessen warns
the reader that things are as they are no matter what we might
wish; we ignore facts and controversy at our own risk. This book
will be significant to anthropologists, psychologists, biologists,
and sociologists.
General
Imprint: |
AldineTransaction
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
March 2012 |
First published: |
2012 |
Authors: |
Del Thiessen
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 152 x 25mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
436 |
Edition: |
2nd Ed. |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4128-4257-0 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Psychology >
General
|
LSN: |
1-4128-4257-3 |
Barcode: |
9781412842570 |
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