The Biological Roots of Human Nature: Forging Links between Evolution and Behavior [Paperback]

Timothy H. Goldsmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0195093933 | ISBN-13: 978-0195093933

In this stimulating book, Goldsmith argues that biology has a great deal to say that should be of interest to social scientists, historians, philosophers, and humanists in general. He believes that anyone studying the social behavior of humans must take into consideration both proximate cause--the physiology, biochemistry, and social mechanisms of behavior--and ultimate cause--how the behavior came to exist in evolutionary time. Goldsmith, a neurobiologist, draws examples from neurobiology, psychology, and ethology (behavioral evolution). The result is a work that overcomes many of the misconceptions that have hindered the rich contributions the biological sciences have to offer concerning the evolution of human society, behavior, and sense of identity. Among the key topics addressed are the nature of biological explanation, the relationship between genes and behavior, those aspects of behavior most likely to respond to natural selection, the relationship between evolution and learning, and some probable modes of interaction between cultural and biological evolution. By re-examining the role of biological explanation in the domain of social development, the author has significantly advanced a more well-rounded view of human evolution and shed new light on the perennial question of what it means to be human. His book will appeal to biologists, social scientists, traditional humanists, and interested general readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

About the Author

Timothy H. Goldsmith is at Yale University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 20, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195093933
• ISBN-13: 978-0195093933
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Biological Roots of Human Nature, June 8, 2000

By 

T. L. MCRAE (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Biological Roots of Human Nature: Forging Links between Evolution and Behavior (Paperback)

I have found this to be an extremely useful book for introducing students to biological understandings of behavior. I have taught a course in Behavior and Religion, and found no better book with which to introduce laypeople to a biological perspective on altruism and related behaviors which often form the basis for what we consider to be matters of ethics and meaning. From the opening quotation from Robert Trivers ("Natural selection has built us, and it is natural selection we must understand if we are to comprehend our own identities . . .") the reader is forced to carry everyday logic to its obvious conclusion in assessing the cause and function of human behavior. This book has had a tremendous impact on the students in my classes, tumbling them into perhaps their first completely honest, knowing examination of their own meaning. I searched very hard for a book to present basic concepts in ethology to nonmajors, and this book was by far the best I found. Long may it remain in print!

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If only the book delivered on the title..., June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Biological Roots of Human Nature: Forging Links between Evolution and Behavior (Paperback)

A very disappointing book about a fascinating subject. Goldsmith appeals neither to the evolutionary biologist nor the casual interested party with this work. No cohesive thoughts run through the book, and Goldsmith is never sure exactly who the audience of his book really is. Examples are strewn together with nothing to tie them together or into a central theme. You can do much better than this book.