Human Natures: Genes, Cultures, and the Human Prospect

By Paul R. Ehrlich

Book Overview

Why do we behave the way we do? Biologist Paul Ehrlich suggests that although people share a common genetic code, these genes "do not shout commands at us...at the very most, they whisper suggestions." He argues that human nature is not so much result of genetic coding; rather, it is heavily influenced by cultural conditioning and environmental factors. With personal anecdotes, a well-written narrative, and clear examples, Human Natures is a major work of synthesis and scholarship as well as a valuable primer on genetics and evolution that makes complex scientific concepts accessible to lay readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142000531
• ISBN13: 9780142000533
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great comprehensive book on human nature!

I truly appreciated Paul Erlich's HUMAN NATURES, not only for the carefully studied exploration of humanity but also for his clarity. This intelligent, well-written discourse on human evolution gives a balanced view of our species, dispelling myths and explaining complexities, daring to explore controversial subjects. The topics covered - from the origins of language to racial equality to ethics, to name only a few - are well researched and comprehensive. In language and tone, HUMAN NATURES is neither overly technical nor simplistic; it is wonderfully readable without sacrificing depth.If you have pondered the different roles of genes and the environment, if you are intrigued by the origin and development of cultures, if you encountered too many glib comments about "survival of the fittest" and want to understand the true depth of the concept as it applies to humans, read this book. You'll come away with so much more than you expected.

Fascinating Book!

Paul Ehrlich does a great job of looking at why we humans are the way we are. He explodes a lot of the myths about genes being the sole determinate of agression, peacfulness, and many other things that we attribute to genes. Even after I took a break from reading I found myself thinking of the concepts that he states, and I couldn't wait to get back to the book. His views of sexuality are very thought provoking.

Base Against Bias

HUMAN NATURES, by Paul R. Ehrlich, at last gives laymen like me a readily accessible, comprehensive scientific insight into how the brains of not-so-simple primates evolved to make our "human natures" what we are today. Of more importance, Ehrlich gives us a superbly documented basis for addressing - perhaps even erasing - the genetic myths and phobias that have fueled ethnic prejudice, racism, sexism and all the other "isms" dividing us over the centuries. - Richard L. Graves, author of QUEENOF DIAMONDS, a mystery novel published Decmber 1 by XC Publishing, Tacoma, WA.

A fascinating book!

Paul Ehrlich weaves together evolutionary biology, ecology, anthropology, sociology, and common sense to explain the origins and behavior of human societies. In lucid, powerful, and often witty prose, Ehlich tackles some of the most fundamental questions pertaining to the role of genes and cultures in shaping who we are and how we behave. "Human Natures" is fun to read and rich in wisdom.

More than Biology is Subject to Evolution

Man's evolutional place in the world has been studied for centuries, through the sciences of anthropology, biology, geology, genetics, paleontology, and a host of others, and this book does a masterful job of bringing these together. What it does that is different, is describe the evolution of culture: politics, regligion, art, language, and other features of the upright-walking primate's life not so easily reduced to scientific explanation. Combining these two approaches to man's current predicament, Professor Ehrlich points aut that "the increasing ability to do things has outstripped the evolution of our ability to understand ... the full implications of what we are now doing," and with this approach, examines what is happening to us individually, to the human community, and to the environment in which we live. If you read one new book this year about man's place in the earth's past, present and future, this is the one.