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Not by Genes Alone: How Culture Transformed Human Evolution,Used
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Humans are a striking anomaly in the natural world. While we are similar to other mammals in many ways, our behavior sets us apart. Our unparalleled ability to adapt has allowed us to occupy virtually every habitat on earth using an incredible variety of tools and subsistence techniques. Our societies are larger, more complex, and more cooperative than any other mammal's. In this stunning exploration of human adaptation, Peter J. Richerson and Robert Boyd argue that only a Darwinian theory of cultural evolution can explain these unique characteristics.Not by Genes Alone offers a radical interpretation of human evolution, arguing that our ecological dominance and our singular social systems stem from a psychology uniquely adapted to create complex culture. Richerson and Boyd illustrate here that culture is neither superorganic nor the handmaiden of the genes. Rather, it is essential to human adaptation, as much a part of human biology as bipedal locomotion. Drawing on work in the fields of anthropology, political science, sociology, and economicsand building their case with such fascinating examples as kayaks, corporations, clever knots, and yams that require twelve men to carry themRicherson and Boyd convincingly demonstrate that culture and biology are inextricably linked, and they show us how to think about their interaction in a way that yields a richer understanding of human nature.In abandoning the natureversusnurture debate as fundamentally misconceived, Not by Genes Alone is a truly original and groundbreaking theory of the role of culture in evolution and a book to be reckoned with for generations to come.I continue to be surprised by the number of educated people (many of them biologists) who think that offering explanations for human behavior in terms of culture somehow disproves the suggestion that human behavior can be explained in Darwinian evolutionary terms. Fortunately, we now have a book to which they may be directed for enlightenment . . . . It is a book full of good sense and the kinds of intellectual rigor and clarity of writing that we have come to expect from the Boyd/Richerson stable.Robin Dunbar, NatureNot by Genes Alone is a valuable and very readable synthesis of a still embryonic but very important subject straddling the sciences and humanities.E. O. Wilson, Harvard University
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Not by Genes Alone'? A: The main theme of 'Not by Genes Alone' is the argument that human evolution is significantly influenced by culture, rather than solely by genetic factors. The authors, Peter J. Richerson and Robert Boyd, propose that cultural evolution plays a critical role in shaping human behavior and adaptation.
- Q: Who are the authors of this book? A: The authors of 'Not by Genes Alone' are Peter J. Richerson and Robert Boyd, both of whom are prominent figures in the fields of anthropology and evolutionary biology.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'Not by Genes Alone'? A: The book 'Not by Genes Alone' was published on June 1, 2006.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 342 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this edition have? A: This edition of 'Not by Genes Alone' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'Not by Genes Alone' is well-suited for academic study as it synthesizes concepts from various fields including anthropology, sociology, and political science, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers.
- Q: What are the key arguments made by the authors? A: The authors argue that human cultural evolution is essential to understanding our unique social systems and ecological dominance, and they emphasize the interplay between culture and biology.
- Q: Does the book offer a new perspective on the nature versus nurture debate? A: Yes, 'Not by Genes Alone' challenges the traditional nature versus nurture debate by proposing that cultural factors are as integral to human evolution as biological ones.
- Q: What kind of reader would benefit from this book? A: Readers interested in evolutionary biology, anthropology, sociology, and anyone looking to understand the complexities of human behavior through the lens of culture will benefit from this book.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of 'Not by Genes Alone' that is recommended? A: The First Paperback Edition of 'Not by Genes Alone' is recommended for those looking for a durable and accessible format.