A Cooperative Species - Human Reciprocity and Its Evolution

Herbert Gintis, Samuel Bowles

Summary

A fascinating look at the evolutionary origins of cooperationWhy do humans, uniquely among animals, cooperate in large numbers to advance projects for the common good? Contrary to the conventional wisdom in biology and economics, this generous and civic-minded behavior is widespread and cannot be explained simply by far-sighted self-interest or a desire to help close genealogical kin.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.The authors describe how, for thousands of generations, cooperation with fellow group members has been essential to survival. Groups that created institutions to protect the civic-minded from exploitation by the selfish flourished and prevailed in conflicts with less cooperative groups. Key to this process was the evolution of social emotions such as shame and guilt, and our capacity to internalize social norms so that acting ethically became a personal goal rather than simply a prudent way to avoid punishment.Using experimental, archaeological, genetic, and ethnographic data to calibrate models of the coevolution of genes and culture as well as prehistoric warfare and other forms of group competition, A Cooperative Species provides a compelling and novel account of how humans came to be moral and cooperative.

Available since: 05/31/2011.

Print length: 275 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Sex Itself - The Search for Male...

Sarah S. Richardson

Human genomes are 99.9 percent identical—with one prominent exception. Instead of a matching pair of X chromosomes, men carry a single X, coupled with a tiny chromosome called the Y. Tracking the emergence of a new and distinctive way of thinking about sex represented by the unalterable, simple, and visually compelling binary of the X and Y chromosomes, Sex Itself examines the interaction between cultural gender norms and genetic theories of sex from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present, postgenomic age.           Using methods from history, philosophy, and gender studies of science, Sarah S. Richardson uncovers how gender has helped to shape the research practices, questions asked, theories and models, and descriptive language used in sex chromosome research. From the earliest theories of chromosomal sex determination, to the mid-century hypothesis of the aggressive XYY supermale, to the debate about Y chromosome degeneration, to the recent claim that male and female genomes are more different than those of humans and chimpanzees, Richardson shows how cultural gender conceptions influence the genetic science of sex.            Richardson shows how sexual science of the past continues to resonate, in ways both subtle and explicit, in contemporary research on the genetics of sex and gender. With the completion of the Human Genome Project, genes and chromosomes are moving to the center of the biology of sex. Sex Itself offers a compelling argument for the importance of ongoing critical dialogue on how cultural conceptions of gender operate within the science of sex.

Show book

Future Morality

David Edmonds

The world is changing so fast that it's hard to know how to think about what we ought to do. We barely have time to reflect on how scientific advances will affect our lives before they're upon us. New kinds of dilemma are springing up. Can robots be held responsible for their actions? Will artificial intelligence be able to predict criminal activity? Is the future gender-fluid? Should we strive to become post-human? Should we use drugs to improve our intimate relationships—or to reduce crime? Our intuitions about questions like these are often both weak and confused.David Edmonds has put together a philosophical task force to get to grips with these challenges. Twenty-nine philosophers present provocative and engaging pieces about aspects of life today, and life tomorrow—birth and death, health and medicine, brain and body, personal relationships, wrongdoing and justice, the internet, animals, and the environment. The future won't look the same when you've finished this book.

Show book

Fulcrum and Torsion of the...

Jorge C. Trainini, Mario...

In this new book, Trainini and his team attempt a step forward and make a series of proposals that come to complete cardiac anatomy, physiology and mechanics. Reading this new investigation is a pleasure that demands continuous attention, so that our "neuronal boxes" do not rebel against the effort it means to sometimes destroy what we have firmly installed in them. The text should be read slowly, as it was never easy to tread in swamp-limited grounds and, as in the ascent to the summit of a difficult mountain, stop now and then to take a breath and enjoy the view as we get near the peak, where we will see the final landscape of the new vision. Then we will be conscious that the effort was worthwhile.

Show book

The Nightingale Gene - Lessons...

Jayne Van Brunt

The first in a trilogy highlighting caregiving as a demanding, yet rewarding, profession that forces work-life imbalance, The Nightingale Gene provides lessons for those who make caring for others a priority over taking care of themselves.By the year 2020, the United States will experience a shortage of more than 1 million nurses as baby boomers in the profession retire and hospitals struggle to keep up with supply and demand as the boomer-aging population stresses the already overtaxed staff. Nurses account for more than 75% of the employees in a hospital, but new nurses continue to seek other less stressful careers, remaining in their positions an average of only 6 months, citing poor management and burnout as reasons for leaving. The profession gives nurses both high reward and intense stress. The demand to find, train, and retain quality staff has never been more urgent than now.The Nightingale Gene provides nurses and healthcare leaders with lessons that address the obvious recruiting and retention demands they face today, focusing first on their own issues and then trickling down to staff. Jayne Van Brunt addresses why nurses and healthcare leaders are wired to hover over everyone else while ignoring their own desires, featuring themes of self-help, self-love, and forgiveness while presenting an easy formula to implement and intentional work-life plan to make nursing and other caregiving professions rewarding again. Written in lyrical fashion, The Nightingale Gene tells the story of one woman’s transformational journey and the lessons she learned along her way back to living in balance.

Show book

Data-Driven Science and...

SAM CAMPBELL

In the modern era, where data is the new gold, "Data-Driven Science and Engineering: Mastering the Art of Data-Driven Decision Making" serves as a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of data for scientific inquiry and engineering innovation. This book bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, offering a deep dive into the methodologies and tools that enable effective data analysis and decision-making processes.
Authored by leading experts in data science and engineering, this book is designed for a broad audience, from beginners seeking to understand the basics of data-driven techniques to professionals aiming to enhance their decision-making skills. It covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of data collection and analysis, advanced statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and the latest in artificial intelligence technologies.
"Data-Driven Science and Engineering" not only equips readers with the necessary tools and techniques but also explores the ethical and regulatory considerations of data usage. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability in data-driven decision-making, ensuring readers are well-versed in navigating the complexities of the digital age.
"Data-Driven Science and Engineering: Mastering the Art of Data-Driven Decision Making" is an invaluable resource for mastering the skills necessary to thrive in a data-centric world. This book will empower you to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and lead projects to success with confidence and precision.

Show book

Summary and Analysis of The...

Worth Books

So much to read, so little time? This brief overview of The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century tells you what you need to know—before or after you read Thomas L. Friedman ’s book. Crafted and edited with care, Worth Books set the standard for quality and give you the tools you need to be a well-informed reader. This short summary and analysis of The World Is Flat 3.0 by Thomas L. Friedman includes: Historical contextChapter-by-chapter summariesDetailed timeline of important eventsImportant quotesFascinating triviaSupporting material to enhance your understanding of the original work About The World Is Flat 3.0 by Thomas L. Friedman: Pulitzer Prize–winning author Thomas L. Friedman imagines himself a modern-day Columbus, exploring a new world created by a global economy. He travels from Bangalore to Bentonville, interviewing key figures in the rise of globalization, outsourcing, offshoring, and supply chain management. Like great explorers before him, Friedman spins tales of vast wealth and freedoms made possible by advances in technology. But here, too, there be dragons: foreign competition, educational failures, governmental incompetence, and the specter of 9/11 and terrorism are the ugly flip side of crowd-sourced technological wonders. The World Is Flat is an essential work for anyone interested in the impact of globalization. The summary and analysis in this ebook are intended to complement your reading experience and bring you closer to a great work of nonfiction.

Show book