Robert Wright, "The Moral Animal: Why We Are, the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology"

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Robert Wright, "The Moral Animal: Why We Are, the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology"

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Are men literally born to cheat? Does monogamy actually serve women's interests? These are among the questions that have made The Moral Animal one of the most provocative science books in recent years. Wright unveils the genetic strategies behind everything from our sexual preferences to our office politics–as well as their implications for our moral codes and public policies.

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 Library Journal
In the past 25 years, a new model of human behavior has arisen. Originally termed sociobiology (a term that fell out of favor when its early proponents were labeled neo-Social Darwinists), this model seeks to apply evolutionary theory to human behavior. Wright (Three Scientists and Their Gods, LJ 8/88) does a fine job of explaining the current state of sociobiological theory and illustrates its tenets in an unusual way-by applying them to the life of Charles Darwin himself. Answering some critics, Wright argues that the evolutionary paradigm is not at all incompatible with support of religious or moral codes, liberal political agendas, or women's rights. Wright has written a fine state-of-the-art introduction to this increasingly important model of human psychology. Highly recommended as a single source on the topic for small libraries and as an addition for larger libraries needing to update their holdings in this still-developing area.
Mary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, Wa.