by William F. Allman (1994)
Why do we desire one person rather than another as a mate? How are we able to live together in large groups? Why do we react in anger to infidelity? Why do we love music and art? All of these human characteristics are rooted in the distant past, as William F. Allman informs us in The Stone Age Present. Reporting on cutting-edge ideas from the frontiers of research in such disciplines as anthropology, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and artificial intelligence - Allman shows how our minds evolved in response to challenges faced by our prehistoric ancestors. And he reveals how our brains continue to harbor that long-ago legacy in the present day. Scientists speculate that countless problems of contemporary life, from individuals being overweight to nations waging war, result because our "Stone Age minds" haven't caught up with our overcrowded, technologically sophisticated world. Our emotional responses, sexual preferences, and all other aspects of modern-day behavior are still playing out the evolutionary legacy of our ancient ancestors. But at a time when society is increasingly concerned about values, this book also shows how morality is not the result of arbitrary convention but stems from our need to cooperate, which has been essential to our successful evolution as a species. By a leading proponent of science for the general reader, this illuminating book moves beyond the "nature vs. nurture" debate to provide a challenging and indispensable guide to understanding the ancient origins of our modern psyche.
Samuel Bowles, Herbert Gintis
In A Cooperative Species, Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis--pioneers in the new experimental and evolutionary science of human behavior--show that the central issue is not why selfish people act generously, but instead how genetic and cultural evolution has produced a species in which substantial numbers make sacrifices to uphold ethical norms and to help even total strangers -- from cover.
Carl Sagan
Presents an overview of human evolution and discusses human and animal intelligence, the mechanisms of the brain, memory, sleep, myths and legends about evolution, and the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life.
Richard W. Burkhardt, Jr
Ethology, the study of animal behaviour, has emerged as a serious discipline only within the past century. This volume recounts the development of scientific interest in animals when they are alive, rather than dead on the dissecting table.
Phyllis J. Perry
Describes how animals survive by using their armor, camouflage, horns, stings, and other natural protective devices and strategies.