The Biological Roots of Human Nature: Forging Links Between Evolution and Behavior

by Timothy H. Goldsmith

Overview

Here a biologist explains the evolutionary origins of humanity for a wide multidisciplinary audience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198022824
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/29/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	544 KB

About the Author

Yale University

Table of Contents

1. The Dual Nature of Causation in Biology
2. Some Fallacies and Misconceptions
3. Evolutionary Theory Since Darwin
4. Reasoning About Ultimate Causes of Behavior
5. Getting From Genes to Behavior
6. Evolutionary Perspectives on Volition, Learning, and Language
7. Decisions, Decisions!
8. Culture, Anthropology, and Evolution
9. Epilogue — "Concerning Biological Reductionism"

Editorial Reviews

"The book is well-written and amasses considerable evidence in support of its thesis. ... He (Goldsmith) brings to his work not only familiarity with evolutionary theory but also his particular skills as a neurobiologist. So he is in a better than average position to make the connections between genetics, neurobiology and psychology as these affect behavior." — New Ideas in Psychology

"The strength of the book is. . .the succinct way in which Goldsmith explains many of the confusing and misunderstood elements of sociobiology." —Choice

"An outstanding work reflecting careful synthesis and great explanatory power. A superb achievement that provides a succinct and readable overview of an extraordinarily broad and complex area."—Owen D. Jones, Professor of Law, Arizona State University

From the Publisher