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Neither Gods Nor Beasts How Science Is Changing Who We Think We Are
Traditional views of human nature focus on the supernatural, defining us as creatures with souls, minds, and spirits that transcend our physical attributes. In this provocative book, distinguished scientist and historian Elof Axel Carlson argues for a different understanding of ourselves based on our biology--cellular organization, genetics, life cycle, evolution, and our origins as a species. This interpretation does not negate our capacity for imagination, spiritual and emotional yearnings, or aesthetic appreciation for art, music, and literature. Carlson challenges educators, the media, and public policy makers to integrate the evidence from science more fully into our understanding of ourselves.
180 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
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June 21, 2019
Elof Axel Carlson is best known to me as the author of The Unfit, a kind of history of eugenics, an idea that hasn't exactly disappeared in particular political and social spheres. Here, he sets out in an historical fashion to explain what science has learned about human beings and what it means, comparing what has been found with other ideas and assumptions, notably what he calls "faith-based" ideas and ideas that appear to fit particular times for particular reasons.
The book is quietly, respectfully and informatively written, with brief chapters and headings setting out what people knew and didn't know . Some of the usual suspects appear, Darwin, Galton, Galileo, Kant, Paracelsus, Freud for instance, but not Jung, although this book serves as an excellent background to an understanding of the development of psychological ideas.
Carlson wants to stick to what is known and , somewhat refreshingly, isn't inclined to accept inaccurate jargon like something being "in my DNA" and things like that. In explaining what is known or what can be said in genetic research he writes the following:
"You can have athletic potential from your genes, but not be interested in sports. You can have perfect pitch and a musical memory but lack an interest or an opportunity to cultivate a career in music. You may be a creative genius, but your culture gives you no opportunity to earn a living except as an unskilled laborer. Life is more complex than the outcomes of our genes, but it is dependent on those genes for whatever talents we try to cultivate."
Carlson tells us something of himself, dividing his life into 3 generations, thankfully nothing like the ones in vogue for unthinking researchers and others, but essentially of 22-3 years which is more logical biologically, or sociologically if it comes to that. In doing so and in such a seamless fashion, I got the idea that he was sharing his wisdom, not that he ever makes that claim. Anyway, the content and his thought are well-worth reading for reflection and context and whether you agree with him or not, although it's not really that kind of book. Easily read, and another train book.
The book is quietly, respectfully and informatively written, with brief chapters and headings setting out what people knew and didn't know . Some of the usual suspects appear, Darwin, Galton, Galileo, Kant, Paracelsus, Freud for instance, but not Jung, although this book serves as an excellent background to an understanding of the development of psychological ideas.
Carlson wants to stick to what is known and , somewhat refreshingly, isn't inclined to accept inaccurate jargon like something being "in my DNA" and things like that. In explaining what is known or what can be said in genetic research he writes the following:
"You can have athletic potential from your genes, but not be interested in sports. You can have perfect pitch and a musical memory but lack an interest or an opportunity to cultivate a career in music. You may be a creative genius, but your culture gives you no opportunity to earn a living except as an unskilled laborer. Life is more complex than the outcomes of our genes, but it is dependent on those genes for whatever talents we try to cultivate."
Carlson tells us something of himself, dividing his life into 3 generations, thankfully nothing like the ones in vogue for unthinking researchers and others, but essentially of 22-3 years which is more logical biologically, or sociologically if it comes to that. In doing so and in such a seamless fashion, I got the idea that he was sharing his wisdom, not that he ever makes that claim. Anyway, the content and his thought are well-worth reading for reflection and context and whether you agree with him or not, although it's not really that kind of book. Easily read, and another train book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review