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The Moral Animal
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An accessible introduction to the science of evolutionary psychology and how it explains many aspects of human nature. Unlike many books on the topic,which focus on abstractions like kin selection, this book focuses on Darwinian explanations of why we are the way we are--emotionally and morally. Wright deals particularly well with explaining the reasons for the stereotypical dynamics of the three big "S's:" sex, siblings, and society.
From Kirkus Reviews
A provocative book by a senior editor of The New Republic, author of Three Scientists and Their Gods (1988), examining the vibrant new science of evolutionary psychology. Even though, according to this science, natural selection has molded human nature into a deterministic pattern of selfish behavior, says Wright, there is still hope for developing a common moral outlook as long as we accept the ramifications of our evolutionary legacy. Natural selection insures that individuals are subconsciously preoccupied with the propagation of their genes. Although the cold, underlying logic of natural selection doesn't care about our happiness, it fools us into thinking that by pursuing goals that make us happy, we will maximize our genetic legacy. Lost in this pursuit is any genuine concern about community welfare. This volume covers much of the same ground as William Allman's superb overview The Stone Age Present (p. 893). Wright extends Allman's arguments in much richer detail and a more authoritative tone, although he explains the science in a more roundabout manner. He weaves a complex and fascinating treatise in explaining the paradox of how society can engender moral and responsible actions when a strict Darwinian interpretation implies that human behavior is deterministic. Wright resolves this paradox by arguing that once people understand the Darwinian paradigm, they will understand their own subconscious motives, which is the first step towards addressing the bias toward self that natural selection instills in our minds. Many readers will feel uneasy reading Wright's dark and cynical portrayal of human nature, but he does a superb job of anticipating questions and objections. He points to a growing body of evidence that says this is the way we are whether we like it or not, and he argues we're better off if we accept this fact. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
-- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine vergriffene oder nicht verfügbare Ausgabe dieses Titels.
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5 von 5 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Format:Taschenbuch
This was the book that introduced me to Evolutionary Psychology several years ago. Since then, I have read The Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher (which got the highest possible recommendation from the U of Chicago Feminist Majority Book Review - they called it "just plain wrong"), The Evolution of Desire by David Buss, Chimpanzee Politics, Peacemaking among Primates and Good Natured by Franz de Waal and The Adapted Mind, edited by Jerome Barkow, Leda Cosmides and James Tooby. Of these, I would rate The Adapted Mind as a better (but much more technical) introduction to Evolutionary Psychology, The Evolution of Desire as the most interesting, and Good Natured as the least depressing. Unlike Wright, the other authors have done a lot of original research and their books are cited in Wright's book. Furthermore, Wright's and Fisher's books seem the least straightforward and worst organized of the lot. One more point, if you're looking to uplift your spirits and improve your self-esteem, stay away from these books in general and Wright's book in particular. De Waal said that a fundamental thesis of Wright's book was that we are "all hypocrites in constant denial of our thoroughly selfish nature," and both Wright and de Waal are probably correct. Then again, this level of inwardly directed cynicism is something that we all could stand to develop.
4 von 4 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Format:Gebundene Ausgabe
Although first published in 1994, a long time ago in the rapidly developing science of evolutionary psychology, Robert Wright's seminal book remains an excellent introduction to the subject. The text crackles with an incisive wit that says, yes we're animals, but we can live with that. The discussion is thorough, ranging from a rather intense focus on Charles Darwin and his life through the sexist and morality debate occasioned by the publication of Edward O. Wilson's Sociobiology in 1975, to the rise of the use of primate comparisons fueled by Jane Goodall's instant classic, The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior (1986). Wright has some rather serious fun with human sexual behavior as seen from the perspective of evolutionary psychology, but he spends even more time worrying (to no good effect, in my opinion) about altruism and the shaky concept of kin selection. The title is partly ironic, since much of the material suggests that we are something less than "moral." The "Everyday Life" in the title is an allusion to Freud (The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, 1904) who makes a dual appearance in the text, first as a kind of not-yet-illuminated precursor to modern Darwinian thought, and second as the reigning champ of psychology that evolutionary psychology is out to dethrone. (See especially page 314.)
What's exciting about evolutionary psychology is that for the first time psychology has a firm scientific foundation upon which to build. But it's a tough subject for some people, I think, mainly because they confuse "is" with "ought." The discoveries of evolutionary psychology about the differing reproductive strategies of the sexes offend some people in the same way that Darwin's insight about our kinship with (other) animals offended the Victorians. Evolutionary psychology shows us that men lie, cheat and hustle relentlessly for sex, while women manipulate available males into caring for their offspring, and if possible for children fathered by other males. Insights like these are seen by some as immoral imperatives, when in fact they are amoral statements of factual observation. What "is" isn't necessarily the same thing as what ought to be. And really, we shouldn't blame the messenger.
Where Wright's book especially shows its age is in trying to explain altruism. He wasn't aware of the handicap principle developed by Amotz and Avishag in their exciting book, The Handicap Principle: A Missing Piece of Darwin's Puzzle (1997) which nicely explains "altruism" (it's an advertisement of fitness) and a number of other evolutionary conundrums, including Wright's question on page 390, "Why do soldiers die for their country?" Additionally on pages 68-70, where Wright attempts to account for female cuckoldry, he gives three reasons, but seems uncertain of the most important one, which is that a woman, once established in a secure pair-bond will sometimes seek to upgrade the genetic input by having a clandestine fling with what she sees as an alpha male. Also Wright's attempt to account for homosexuality (pages 384-386) stumbles over itself in trying to be politically correct while missing the major point that homosexuality facilitates male bonding and therefore is certainly adaptive since male coalitions increase each member of the coalition's chance of securing females. It fact, Wright misses the whole concept of male bonding. There's not even an index entry for it.
These observations are not to be taken as criticisms of the book since Wright was writing before knowledge of some of these ideas became widespread. The Moral Animal remains an outstanding opus and one that has helped introduce a large readership to the power and efficacy of evolutionary psychology, a scientific approach to psychology that will, I believe, replace the old paradigms currently holding sway in our universities. Of course this will only happen when the old behaviorists, and cognitive and psychoanalytic stalwarts...retire.
I would like to see Wright revise this book in light of the many discoveries made during the nineties and reissue it. His readable and engaging style would make the update fun to read.
2 von 2 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich
Format:Taschenbuch
Evolutionary psychology is a fantastically exciting, expanding new area of interest, research and publication. Unfortunately, this book, while it does contain some interesting research (other people's), is often hijacked by a lack of focus (is it a serious science book or not?) and the author's annoying tendency to reinforce his own political agenda with somewhat shaky, self-serving logic. More than a few caveats are missing from his mis-application of some isolated ideas (which are not necessarily inherently flawed, just incomlete) to the whole of human society and gender relations. Fascinating for Pat Robertson clones who demand some rudimentary science, but the rest of us can do better. Try Matt Ridley, Jared Diamond, Sarah Blaffer-Hrdy, Natalie Angier, or even Stephen Pinker. This is not the only book out there on this subject, and it is certainly not the best one. While there are undeniably differences between the sexes, evolutionary theory does not automatically validate that old set of sexist premises. Most of human prehistory is still highly speculative at this point... it is important to keep in mind that in a science so young and speculative, a theorist's own sociocultural biases are bound to shape things. Don't trade in your schoolbooks for a copy of "The Rules" just yet. But don't give up on evolutionary theory either. Wright is just one of many- perverting science with his own odious set of prejudices and assumptions.
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A Powerful Theory Beautifully Explained
This compelling, amusing, and carefully argued book sheds light on a theory of human nature that has devastating explanatory power, but which has been too long suppressed by... Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 31. Mai 2000 von J. Mcgregor
The Point Of Genetics
Many reviewers seem to miss the point. A book like this introduces us to the idea that genetics has an operational purpose, and each side of the species (male and female) may have... Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 18. Mai 2000 von Peter L. Swiinford
Old hat science and misogyny masquerading as cutting edge...
Don't waste your time or money. Though the science is adequate and the logic occasionally interesting to follow, the author cannot hide his thinly veiled sexist victorian... Lesen Sie weiter...
Am 24. März 2000 veröffentlicht
Careful readers benefit from Wright's insights
Wright's work, which continues Dawkins' and Darwin's, makes evolutionary psychology clear and accessible. Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 14. Januar 2000 von D. Braverman
Profoundly Unscientific, Poorly Reasoned
I am a student of evolutionary psychology and evolution, and I found this book a poor representation of both. Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 30. Dezember 1999 von Sonya Trejo
It will take some time ...
... but eventually the evidence that our brains are simply more complex versions of the brains of our animal cousins will be overwhelming. Lesen Sie weiter...
Am 17. Dezember 1999 veröffentlicht
The Moral Animal
Fabulous book. Makes you think about the actions we perform everyday in our life and why. Helps to understand people and natural instincts. It is a fascinating book.
Am 5. Dezember 1999 veröffentlicht
convincing and important
I reccommend this book to everyone with an open mind, and with a bit of curiosity about the human animal and the way it behaves. Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 5. Dezember 1999 von Mike Ferrell
One of the best introductions to Evolutionary Psychology
Though a few other books related to Evolutionary Psychology have been written since this, it is still one of the best introductions to the field. Lesen Sie weiter...
Veröffentlicht am 1. Dezember 1999 von Alan Koslowski
Men dominate women. Evolutionary psych proves it.
All I want to say is summed up in this paragraph from The Moral Animal. It is deeply disturbing to me that this type of mysogeny is being published and lauded (by male reviewers,... Lesen Sie weiter...
Am 22. November 1999 veröffentlicht
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