UID:
almafu_9960119722402883
Format:
1 online resource (xiv, 376 pages) :
,
digital, PDF file(s).
ISBN:
0-511-75240-7
Content:
Biology and Freedom, first published in 1989, is an essay on human nature: an attempt to make a just assessment of a species often presented as predominantly and unavoidably violent, grasping, selfish and stupid. Likening human beings to animals is a traditional method of influencing attitudes on morals and politics. But in this book Professor Barnett shows that modern ethology, experimental psychology, genetics and evolutionary theory give the now fashionable misanthropy no authentic support. In doing so he asks whether the theory of evolution has any bearing on Machiavellianism in politics or the concept of original sin; and whether laboratory experiments on the effects of reward and punishment tell us anything about the enigma of free will. Combining the findings of biology with logic and humour, Professor Barnett gives a lucid alternative portrait of humanity in which he stresses the questions that the complexities of human existence will raise long after current myths have faded. This book is for all interested in human nature and the future of human society.
Note:
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).
,
List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. An Introduction: 1. Four portraits; 2. The pessimistic tradition; 3. Animals and analogy; Part II. Homo Pugnax: The Violent Species: 4. Communication and instinct; 5. The aggression labyrinth; Part III. Homo Egoisticus: The Selfish Species: 6. Evolution and natural selection; 7. Environment and heredity; 8. Stories of human evolution; 9. Darwinism, genetics and politics; Part IV. Homo Operans: The Greedy Species: 10. Conditioning and improvisation; 11. Work and play; Part V. Homo Sapiens: The Human Species: 12. The reductionist imperative; 13. Human communication; 14. Teaching and tradition; 15. The question; Glossary; Notes; References; Name index; Subject index.
,
English
Additional Edition:
ISBN 0-521-01820-X
Additional Edition:
ISBN 0-521-35316-5
Language:
English
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511752407
