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56th out of 59 books
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31 voters
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Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life
In Born to Be Good, Dacher Keltner demonstrates that humans are not hardwired to lead lives that are "nasty, brutish, and short" we are in fact born to be good. He investigates an old mystery of human evolution: why have we evolved positive emotions like gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion that promote ethical action and are the fabric of cooperative societ...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
January 12th 2009
by W. W. Norton & Company
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This book makes the compelling point that human nature is not exclusively selfish, as epitomized in Dawkins' title "The Selfish Gene", but instead exhibits, in many respects, cooperation and compassion. Keltner correctly notes that Darwin himself first suggested this, insisting on "the greater strength of the social or maternal instincts than that of any other instinct or motive." What's more, this instinct of trust and compassion has expanded in recent times to extend beyo...more
Totally biased, simplistic, and overly optimistic, but some of the studies presented were interesting. There are much better accounts of our evolutionary nature than this, including Michael Shermer's Science of Good and Evil and anything by Steven Pinker. Barbara Oakley's Evil Genes also gives a different perspective.
This guy has an agenda, and he doesn't want to present any evidence or interpret any evidence contrary to it. He would make a great guest on Oprah. Adam Smith was un...more
This guy has an agenda, and he doesn't want to present any evidence or interpret any evidence contrary to it. He would make a great guest on Oprah. Adam Smith was un...more
Keltner is a working researcher as well as a prosocial activist. His research is fascinating. His footnotes are a treasure chest. His prose, though, can be confusing, most noticeably in his attempts to present opposing theories from the past and in his use of multi-syllabic latinate words and long sentences.
The anecdotes about his life & family and many of his philosophically based assertions were distracting at best.
The topic is crucial and fascinating--I hope in his next popular ...more
The anecdotes about his life & family and many of his philosophically based assertions were distracting at best.
The topic is crucial and fascinating--I hope in his next popular ...more
Michael
added it
A very enjoyable read. Keltner is an entertaining writer and the neuroscience and psychology is top notch. A refreshing change from the dismal topics usually focussed on in the study of psychopathology, Keltner takes us through the cutting edge science on the more redeeming human instincts which underlie gratitude, laughter, embarassment, love compassion and awe. I recommend this read for anyone interested in human nature. Eat your heart out Hobbes.
Definitely worth reading. The presentation of Darwin's work with emotion and body language was especially interesting. It was also good to learn about the vagus nerve, how men and women communicate differently through touch, and how encountering the Dalai Lama makes people feel good for days. Ultimately I wish that this book had been longer and more detailed.
Not the most accessible writing, but the premise is a solid and interesting one. The author posits that humans are not selfish, agressive creatures, but instead are hard-wired to be caring and cooperative. The book explores the gamut of emotions and facial expressions and how they relate to the evolution of human society. He believes that the secret to happiness is in the jen ratio - the balance of good and bad in your life - and that this ratio can be changed if we learn to recognize and embrac...more
The author, a professor at UC Berkeley, explains how he and his students and other researchers are demonstrating that positive emotions and behavior such as smiling, touching, and caring for others, are biologically based and have their origins in our evolution as a species who must care for our young over a very extended number of years. Some of it gets a little dry and boring, but it is very uplifting to read of biological evidence of how "fearfully and wonderfully made" we are not ...more
The premise is that we are genetically programmed to be helpful and cooperative not violent. It is linked to our survival to be good to each other. I liked it, but is science so not necessarily an easy read.
Not quite what I was expecting but really interesting (well to me anyway) learned quite a bit about the positive emotions we display and the arguments there are evolutionary reasons for them.
In this book, Keltner lays down evidence suggesting that our genetic makeup does not predispose us to competitive behavior, but rather to collaborative and altruistic endeavors.
Mark Slee
added it
A decent and enjoyable read. I didn't find that this book quite had the depth that some other similar offerings in the field do. A good survey, but nothing mindblowing.
Heard about this book on Amy Krouse Rosenthal's site. I listened to the audiobook version and really enjoyed it. A pretty interesting read.
Fascinating stuff about the evolution of positive emotions and behaviors - why we laugh, smile, touch; how dance evolved; what our minute facial movements really mean - Darwin shows up, as does the Dalai Lama. [ full review ]
Kirsti
marked it as to-read
Saw this in Time magazine.
Must have been someone's college thesis. Very dry.
Lori
added it
Good stuff... lotsa hope for humanity!
Christina
marked it as to-read
Saw this book in O Magazine.
I am listening to this on audiobook. The first few pages are quite compelling - and worth it for anybody to read in a bookstore!!
It is all about Jen science (which I love because my fiancee is Jenn - but I digress.)
I determine the Jen ratio now as I stand in line at Walmart awaiting my food purchase.
I also try to positively influence the Jen ratio of my surroundings.
The Jen ratio is quite revealing. However, truly making it quantitative - taking out m s...more
It is all about Jen science (which I love because my fiancee is Jenn - but I digress.)
I determine the Jen ratio now as I stand in line at Walmart awaiting my food purchase.
I also try to positively influence the Jen ratio of my surroundings.
The Jen ratio is quite revealing. However, truly making it quantitative - taking out m s...more
One of the best books EVER
interesting, but not terrific
The book leaves the reader in a state of bliss. As interesting as the research is, the book still seems like a lecture; not really entertaining. That's not a bad thing. I'd like to see Diana Ackerman take this research and put her magic to it, maybe the Natural History of the Smile?
This is a very well-written book that describes the scientific triggers and reasons behind many of our positive emotions. I think this book has the capacity to change the way one perceives other people and how we interact with each other. I highly recommend this book.
Interesting, but just skimmed it. Had other fish to fry.
I rarely give up on a book, but I just couldn't get into this one. I think that there may have been some really good information in there, but it was too dry to read.
If nothing else, this book should make you feel more optimistic about the present and future state of humanity.
This book was born to be good.
Kim
marked it as to-read
Margot
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Heather
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Jess
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Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, director of the Greater Good Science Center, and coeditor of Greater Good magazine. His research focuses on pro-social emotions, power, and moral reasoning."
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