Biology and Freedom: An Essay on the Implications of Human Ethology
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Revised ed., 8/21/2008
EAN 9780521018203, ISBN10: 052101820X
Paperback, 396 pages, 24.4 x 17 x 2.3 cm
Language: English
Biology and Freedom, first published in 1989, is an essay on human nature: an attempt to make a just assessment of a species often presented as predominantly and unavoidably violent, grasping, selfish and stupid. Likening human beings to animals is a traditional method of influencing attitudes on morals and politics. But in this book Professor Barnett shows that modern ethology, experimental psychology, genetics and evolutionary theory give the now fashionable misanthropy no authentic support. In doing so he asks whether the theory of evolution has any bearing on Machiavellianism in politics or the concept of original sin; and whether laboratory experiments on the effects of reward and punishment tell us anything about the enigma of free will. Combining the findings of biology with logic and humour, Professor Barnett gives a lucid alternative portrait of humanity in which he stresses the questions that the complexities of human existence will raise long after current myths have faded. This book is for all interested in human nature and the future of human society.
List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I. An Introduction
1. Four portraits
2. The pessimistic tradition
3. Animals and analogy
Part II. Homo Pugnax
The Violent Species
4. Communication and instinct
5. The aggression labyrinth
Part III. Homo Egoisticus
The Selfish Species
6. Evolution and natural selection
7. Environment and heredity
8. Stories of human evolution
9. Darwinism, genetics and politics
Part IV. Homo Operans
The Greedy Species
10. Conditioning and improvisation
11. Work and play
Part V. Homo Sapiens
The Human Species
12. The reductionist imperative
13. Human communication
14. Teaching and tradition
15. The question
Glossary
Notes
References
Name index
Subject index.