Darwinism And Human Affairs

From books blurb: Darwinism and human affairs. Drawing on recent developments in biology, a distinguished scholar discusses human behavior in terms of modern evolutionary theory. With clarity and precision, he argues that evolution can be used as an explanatory principle to help understand a wide range of human social activity. This line of inquiry leads him to some far-reaching speculations about the reasons for cultural change and it directions. The book begins with a review of basic evolutionary theory, presenting evidence to support the proposition that human social organization arises out of characteristics evolved by the process of natural selection. This approach resolves the apparent contradiction between the concepts of humans as either hedonistic individuals or groups altruists, by showing that they are actually both, and by explaining how this can be true. To test this view of human evolution, the author examines various predictions about human behavior that follow logically from the principle of natural selection. Cultural patterns in marriage, inheritance, and social altruism are explored, and the concepts of justice, ethics, and morality are interpreted in new ways. The result is a better understanding of the relationship between the process of organic evolution and the structure, variations, and significance of human behavior.

During the 1990s there was an upsurge of interest in the application of evolutionary thinking to the study of human behaviour. Darwin's basic ideas concerning natural and sexual selection have been revised, refined and extended in scope. This book is a response to the need for a student textbook dealing explicitly with Darwinism and human affairs. It provides an overview of the key theoretical principles of human sociobiology and evolutionary psychology and shows how they illuminate the way humans think and behave. It should be of value to psychology and biology undergraduates but specifically those studying evolutionary psychology, animal behaviour and evolutionary theory, sociobiology, biological anthropology and behavioural ecology.

Our experience of the world is driven by processes common to all animals: growth, survival, reproduction and death. Evolution and Human Behaviour explores the complexities of the human experience through the lens of Darwinism, drawing on a long and vibrant tradition of different theories and interpretations. This textbook offers a compelling synthesis of key concepts, addressing human thought, feeling and behaviour in fundamental evolutionary terms. This is a essential text for undergraduate students taking courses in psychology, human biology, ethology, anthropology and human behavioural ecology, providing an insightful and comprehensive introduction for anyone who wishes to understand how human behaviour has evolved. new_to_this_edition Additional chapters on health and disease, homosexuality, the nature of adaptations and life history theory Includes brand-new material on epigenetics, patterns of crime, error management theory, moral foundations theory, religion and gene culture co-evolution Now accompanied by a companion website offering additional reading material and useful practice questions New 'controversy' boxes in each chapter, providing ideas for essay topics and classroom discussion

In this work, Richard Weikart explains the revolutionary impact Darwinism had on ethics and morality. He demonstrates that many leading Darwinian biologists and social thinkers in Germany believed that Darwinism overturned traditional Judeo-Christian and Enlightenment ethics, especially the view that human life is sacred. Many of these thinkers supported moral relativism, yet simultaneously exalted evolutionary 'fitness' (especially intelligence and health) to the highest arbiter of morality. Darwinism played a key role in the rise not only of eugenics, but also euthanasia, infanticide, abortion and racial extermination. This was especially important in Germany, since Hitler built his view of ethics on Darwinian principles, not on nihilism.

First published in 1987, this book discusses the life and natural history of moral systems as seen through the eyes of a biologist. The volume offers a comprehensive introspective of the biology of a moral system by examining the evolutionary approach from perspectives of sociobiology and ideology. Morality in relation to conflicts and confluences of interest among humankind are further evaluated, with particular emphasis on the human psyche and the ontogeny of moral behaviour. Philosophical meets biological with insightful commentary on the morality of law and democracy. The book concludes with an epilogue, bibliography and name and subject index. It is clear, concise and contemporary and would be of use to those studying Biology, Philsophy and many other social sciences.