Biology, Evolution, and Human Nature

Designed for a one term introduction to the modern theory of evolution by natural selection and how that theory explains animal social behavior in general and human sociocultural evolution in particular. The book can be used in courses in Biology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as in courses in Economics and Law that seek to include a biological evolutionary perspective. The book is based upon the teaching experiences of two general biologists who have taught these subjects to students at Amherst College and Yale University for many years. It provides a balanced and engaging account of the important theories and concepts of evolution and how they contribute to our understanding of human behavior and history.

Dieses Buch bietet eine ausgewogene Darstellung der Kerntheorien und Grundlagen des Evolutionsgedankens und macht deutlich, wie diese Theorien das menschliche Verhalten beeinflussen. Aus evolutionsgeschichtlicher Sicht werden die Verbindungen zwischen den einzelnen Stufen biologischer Komplexität zurückverfolgt - von den Genen über das Nervensystem bis hin zu Tiergesellschaften und menschlichen Kulturen. Analysiert wird die Geschichte der Evolutionstheorie von Darwin bis zur Gegenwart, wobei ein besonderer Schwerpunkt auf der Molekularbiologie und der evolutionären Sozialtheorie liegt. Enthalten sind auch neue Arbeiten zu Primatengesellschaften und der Entwicklungsgeschichte des Menschen. Geschrieben von zwei hervorragenden Dozenten auf dem Gebiet der menschlichen Ethologie. (12/00) FOUNDATIONS.

Why Study Biology?

Charles Darwin and the Origins of Evolutionary Theory.

Cells and the Molecules of Life.

Genetic Continuity and Change: Organisms, Environments, and Microevolution.

After Darwin: Molecular Evolution, Selection, and Adaptation.

Evolutionary Social Theory.

EVOLUTION IN ACTION.

The Success of Social Insects.

Parasites, Hosts, and the Evolutionary Warfare of Infectious Disease.

THE BIOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR.

Nervous Systems Generate Behavior.

Individual Organisms are the Product of Development.

Behavior as Phenotype.

OUR PLACE IN NATURE.

The Physical Record of Human Origins.

Exploring Our Behavioral Heritage.

Viewing Human Cultures in an Evolutionary Context.

Bibliography.

Credits.

Index. "This is a well written and illustrated introduction to modern biology, notably thorough and useful in the way it builds upon evolutionary explanation." --Edward O. Wilson, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University

"An excellent introduction to a body of knowledge and concepts that should be mastered by every educated person." --Steven Pinker, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The explanations of many difficult concepts are the best I've seen." --Donald Kennedy, Standford University

"Truly a pleasure to read...The authors have a real knack for style and ease of expression.... The concepts and ideas are clearly stated, well developed, and easily understood." --Charles Mallery, University of Miami

"This is a remarkable book." --Martin Daley, McMaster University

"This is a superb book ? highly engaging, extremely well written, and well stocked with fascinating information." --David M. Buss, University of Texas - Austin

Timothy H. Goldsmith and William F. Zimmerman are the authors of Biology, Evolution, and Human Nature, published by Wiley.