Human Nature A Critical Reader [Paperback]

Human nature has meant many things to many people. Why do we do what we do? Before 1859, when Darwin publishedThe Origin of Species, the meaning of human nature was anybody's guess. This book collects the first, classic tests of Darwinian theory onus-- including studies of traditional societies (from the !Kung of Botswana to the Ache of Paraguay), studies of modern societies (from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to southern California), and comparative and historical studies (from the ancient Near East to imperial Rome). These classics are interspersed with new critiques -- both by the authors themselves, and by biologists who used modern Darwinian theory to pioneer field studies, cognitive studies, and comparative studies of other species. Last but not least,Human Natureadds an introduction which covers the basics in evolutionary theory, and reviews cutting-edge tests of that theory on human anatomy, physiology, emotions, thought, and interactions.
This pathbreaking book collects the best of the first tests of Darwinian theory on humans, critiques them, and comprehensively reviews the work being donenow. It is an ideal - and long needed - text for courses in biology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, history, and philosophy which use Darwin's theory to explain what we do and who we are.

Preface
Introduction
1. People are animals,Laura Betzig
STUDIES OF TRADITIONAL SOCIETIES
2. Critique: Inward and outward: mind gets at behavior, behavior at mind,Alejandro Kacelnik and John Krebs
3. Classic: Cultural and biological success,William Irons
4. Critique: Looking back two decades,William Irons
5. Classic: Inuit foraging groups: some simple models incorporating conflicts of interest, relatedness, and central place sharing,Eric Alden Smith
6. Critique: Sex is not enough,Eric Alden Smith
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