Overview

What are the roots of human nature and what is wrong with the scientific picture of what and who we are? Was Thomas Hobbes right to say that human life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'? In this magisterial new work, biologist Mary Clark argues that the Western view of human nature is built around a highly atomistic and ideological framework that encourages us to think about the world and ourselves in the wrong way. Beginning with some of the problems that emerge from building ""laws"" of human nature upon ""laws"" of physics, Mary Clark tackles an astonishing array of problems: *what role genes play in the development of the brain *how we generated the concepts of mind and meaning we accept today and what is wrong with them *to the way we think about the formation of individual and group identity, conflict resolution and the environment. Throughout the book, she critically scrutinises many widely-held views, whether it is what Darwin actually said about adaptive fitness and survival, received models of human nature such as man the 'warrior' or 'hunter', or whether it is right to think of emotions as an unfortunate legacy of our evolutionary heritage. Arguing for a more expansive view of science and human nature, she makes a strong case for the role of culture in constructing what and who we are without falling into the trap of relativism.

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9780415286602

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Reviews

'This controversial, challenging book is recommended for all academic and general audiences.' - Choice, on Ariadne's Thread 'A powerful, interdisciplinary introduction to environmental studies.' -Ecology, on Aridane's Thread-

In Search of Human Nature poses questions imperative to these times and then sets about offering answers that are human and thoughtful...Clark's ideas sometimes run contrary to accepted wisdom, posing an intriguing set of questions about our capacities for creative choice even in the midst of systemic forces that are popularly believed to constrain our choices. Her vivid metaphors and careful explanations are grounded in impressive research and innovative perspectives. I recommend the book without reservation. - Michelle LeBaron, University of British Columbia

Author Information

Mary E. Clark was formerly Drucie French Cumbie Chair in Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Her previous books include Contemporary Biology and Ariadne's thread: The Search for New Modes of Thinking. Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Her previous books include Contemporary Biology and Ariadne's Thread: The Search for New Modes of Thinking.

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