Biology and Freedom : an Essay on the Implications of Human Ethology
S. A. Barnett (Author)
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. Combining the findings of biology with logic and humour, Professor Barnett gives a lucid alternative portrait of humanity.
1 online resource (396 pages)
9780511752407, 9780521353168, 9780521018203, 0511752407, 0521353165, 052101820X
1170120322
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.