Read Anywhere and on Any Device!

Subscribe to Read | $0.00

Join today and start reading your favorite books for Free!

Create Free Account

Quick and Easy Sign Up!

It takes less then 1 minute to sign up, then you can enjoy Unlimited eBooks.

Sign Up Browse

Popular Genres

Read Anywhere and on Any Device!

  • Download on iOS
  • Download on Android
  • Download on iOS

Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others

Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others

David Sloan Wilson
3.7/5 ( ratings)
Read Download
A powerful treatise that demonstrates the existence of altruism in nature, with surprising implications for human society

Does altruism exist? Or is human nature entirely selfish? In this eloquent and accessible book, famed biologist David Sloan Wilson provides new answers to this age-old question based on the latest developments in evolutionary science.
 
From an evolutionary viewpoint, Wilson argues, altruism is inextricably linked to the functional organization of groups. “Groups that work” undeniably exist in nature and human society, although special conditions are required for their evolution. Humans are one of the most groupish species on earth, in some ways comparable to social insect colonies and multi-cellular organisms. The case that altruism evolves in all social species is surprisingly simple to make.
 
Yet the implications for human society are far from obvious. Some of the most venerable criteria for defining altruism aren’t worth caring much about, any more than we care much whether we are paid by cash or check. Altruism defined in terms of thoughts and feelings is notably absent from religion, even though altruism defined in terms of action is notably present. The economic case for selfishness can be decisively rejected. The quality of everyday life depends critically on people who overtly care about the welfare of others. Yet, like any other adaptation, altruism can have pathological manifestations. Wilson concludes by showing how a social theory that goes beyond altruism by focusing on group function can help to improve the human condition.
Language
English
Pages
192
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Yale University Press
Release
January 13, 2015
ISBN
0300189494
ISBN 13
9780300189490

Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others

David Sloan Wilson
3.7/5 ( ratings)
Read Download
A powerful treatise that demonstrates the existence of altruism in nature, with surprising implications for human society

Does altruism exist? Or is human nature entirely selfish? In this eloquent and accessible book, famed biologist David Sloan Wilson provides new answers to this age-old question based on the latest developments in evolutionary science.
 
From an evolutionary viewpoint, Wilson argues, altruism is inextricably linked to the functional organization of groups. “Groups that work” undeniably exist in nature and human society, although special conditions are required for their evolution. Humans are one of the most groupish species on earth, in some ways comparable to social insect colonies and multi-cellular organisms. The case that altruism evolves in all social species is surprisingly simple to make.
 
Yet the implications for human society are far from obvious. Some of the most venerable criteria for defining altruism aren’t worth caring much about, any more than we care much whether we are paid by cash or check. Altruism defined in terms of thoughts and feelings is notably absent from religion, even though altruism defined in terms of action is notably present. The economic case for selfishness can be decisively rejected. The quality of everyday life depends critically on people who overtly care about the welfare of others. Yet, like any other adaptation, altruism can have pathological manifestations. Wilson concludes by showing how a social theory that goes beyond altruism by focusing on group function can help to improve the human condition.
Language
English
Pages
192
Format
Hardcover
Publisher
Yale University Press
Release
January 13, 2015
ISBN
0300189494
ISBN 13
9780300189490

More books from David Sloan Wilson

The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History

4/5 ( ratings)

Evolution for Everyone: How Darwin's Theory Can Change the Way We Think About Our Lives

3.9/5 ( ratings)

Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society

3.8/5 ( ratings)

This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolution

3.9/5 ( ratings)

The Neighborhood Project: Using Evolution to Improve My City, One Block at a Time

3.3/5 ( ratings)

Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior (Revised)

3.8/5 ( ratings)

Atlas Hugged: The Autobiography of John Galt III

2.5/5 ( ratings)

Evolution and Contextual Behavioral Science: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Predicting, and Influencing Human Behavior

4.4/5 ( ratings)

Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups

4/5 ( ratings)

Evolution and Contextual Behavioral Science: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Predicting, and Influencing Human Behavior

4/5 ( ratings)

Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups

4/5 ( ratings)

Darwin's Road to the Curriculum: Evolutionary Studies in Higher Education

4/5 ( ratings)

Pathological Altruism

4/5 ( ratings)

Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior

4/5 ( ratings)

Great Adaptations

4/5 ( ratings)

Darwins Cathedral Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society by Wilson, David Sloan [University Of Chicago Press,2003] (Paperback)

4/5 ( ratings)

Darwin's Cathedral : Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society

4/5 ( ratings)

Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]

4/5 ( ratings)

Evolution and Contextual Behavioral Science: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Predicting, and Influencing Human Behavior [16pt Large Print Edition]

4/5 ( ratings)

Rate this book!

Write a review?

loader