The Biological Roots of Human Nature: Forging Links between Evolution and Behavior

by Timothy H. Goldsmith

In this stimulating book, Goldsmith argues that biology has a great deal to say that should be of interest to social scientists, historians, philosophers, and humanists in general. He believes that anyone studying the social behavior of humans must take into consideration both proximate cause--the physiology, biochemistry, and social mechanisms of behavior--and ultimate cause--how the behavior came to exist in evolutionary time. Goldsmith, a neurobiologist, draws examples from neurobiology, psychology, and ethology (behavioral evolution). The result is a work that overcomes many of the misconceptions that have hindered the rich contributions the biological sciences have to offer concerning the evolution of human society, behavior, and sense of identity. Among the key topics addressed are the nature of biological explanation, the relationship between genes and behavior, those aspects of behavior most likely to respond to natural selection, the relationship between evolution and
learning, and some probable modes of interaction between cultural and biological evolution. By re-examining the role of biological explanation in the domain of social development, the author has significantly advanced a more well-rounded view of human evolution and shed new light on the perennial question of what it means to be human. His book will appeal to biologists, social scientists, traditional humanists, and interested general readers.

Genres: Science, Biology

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Professor Emeritus
Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
National Associate, National Academy of Sciences

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an awfully dry read, but I think there is the germ of a decent book in here. Goldsmith generally argues the foundational points concerning a biological basis for human psychology while steering away from positing that biology is solely responsible for complex behavior.

I think the book could have benefited from more illustrative examples throughout, and the last chapter, primarily a critique of anthropologist Marvin Harris' ideas and their pertinence to Goldsmith's theory, seems out of place. This chapter didn't hold up well, and the main ideas and criticisms could have been incorporated elsewhere throughout the book.

Additionally, the second and third chapters concern popular misconceptions and historical shifts in evolutionary theory. I would have rather Goldsmith had assumed the reader came to this book with that knowledge and moved along into his main argument more rapidly.

Still, I'll probably revisit this book to glean the core ideas, but will skip large portions at that time.

[Ahmed Elmaghrapy · Rating 3 out of 5]

اكثر ما يلفت الانتباه هو ان الكتاب دون ان يقصد يدفعك لانكار الفلسفة و علم النفس كحكم على الانسان و اظهارها كخرافات منمقه و ايضا الجبرية التي تجعلك تنظر للفلسفة كهراء تام.

[mohamed ahmmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the translator of the book: Muhammad Shahat, with my late friend Dr. Nazem Mahrous. With the permission of the author and the publishing house, the book was published in 2009 within the publications of the Egyptian General Book Organization, the second thousand book series. The book was reprinted many times, and copies of the book ran out quickly, in a way I did not expect. The book is a modest attempt by the author to prove that human behavior carries in its content a Darwinian evolutionary history in a clear and unambiguous manner. The book is far from jargon, as some have claimed.
But the reader has the right to criticize what he reads, and this is not a destructive criticism, but a constructive and good criticism. Thank you all, my friends.

[Rooz Izadi (Spacewalk) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“much of what is referred to as human nature is understandable as a consequence of the evolution of a long-lived, slowly developing, resource-requiring, mildly polygynous social primate that also happens to be highly intelligent.”

I found it quite fascinating and informative but be informed, it’s not an “easy” read.

[Bert Piedmont's Book Sale Items]

different cover

[Biogeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, pity about the cover. This book, written by a Yale professor who was kind enough to let me work with him, was the first to really get me thinking about this topic.

[Olama]

الكتاب أقرب إلى أن يكون كتاب مدرسي ممل من أن يكون كتاب علمي ممتع.

[Mohamed Yehia · Rating 2 out of 5]

الكتاب مفيد ومهم ولكن غلب عليه التفاصيل البيولوجية التي سوف تمثل صعوبة للقاريء غير المتخصص ولم يركز علي القاريء العادي

[Med_Oran · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب ممل العنوان مشرق و محتوى الكتاب في اغلبه مغرب

[Amany]

Couldn't finish, writing style is too boring or maube thw translation wasn't good enough. Too bad, could've been a very good book