The Altruistic Species

Author : Andrew Michael Flescher,Daniel L. Worthen
Publisher : Templeton Foundation Press
Page : 301 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2007-10
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781599471228

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The Altruistic Species by Andrew Michael Flescher,Daniel L. Worthen Pdf

What motiviates altruism? How essential is altruism to the human experience? Is altruism readily accessible to the ordinary person? Exploring these questions through the lenses of biology, psychology, philosophy, and religion, this book argues for the existence of altruism against competing theories that view benevolence as self-interest in disguise. The authors consider the role of genetics and evolutionary biology: psychological states that induce altt behaior;phlsohcal teories of altruism in normative ethics such as Kantian, utilitarian, and Aristotelian models of moral action; and accounts of love of the neighbor in Christianity and Buddhism. Using the insights of these varying perspectives, the authors offer a new comprehensive definition of altruism that affirms humanity's benevolent nature.

Author : Robert W. Sussman,C. Robert Cloninger
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 440 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2011-08-02
Category : Science
ISBN : 144199520X

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Origins of Altruism and Cooperation by Robert W. Sussman,C. Robert Cloninger Pdf

This book is about the evolution and nature of cooperation and altruism in social-living animals, focusing especially on non-human primates and on humans. Although cooperation and altruism are often thought of as ways to attenuate competition and aggression within groups, or are related to the action of “selfish genes”, there is increasing evidence that these behaviors are the result of biological mechanisms that have developed through natural selection in group-living species. This evidence leads to the conclusion that cooperative and altruistic behavior are not just by-products of competition but are rather the glue that underlies the ability for primates and humans to live in groups. The anthropological, primatological, paleontological, behavioral, neurobiological, and psychological evidence provided in this book gives a more optimistic view of human nature than the more popular, conventional view of humans being naturally and basically aggressive and warlike. Although competition and aggression are recognized as an important part of the non-human primate and human behavioral repertoire, the evidence from these fields indicates that cooperation and altruism may represent the more typical, “normal”, and healthy behavioral pattern. The book is intended both for the general reader and also for students at a variety of levels (graduate and undergraduate): it aims to provide a compact, accessible, and up-to-date account of the current scholarly advances and debates in this field of study, and it is designed to be used in teaching and in discussion groups. The book derived from a conference sponsored by N.S.F., the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, the Washington University Committee for Ethics and Human Values, and the Anthropedia Foundation for the study of well-being.

Author : Stephanie D. Preston
Publisher : Columbia University Press
Page : 165 pages
File Size : 49,8 Mb
Release : 2022-05-03
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780231555524

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The Altruistic Urge by Stephanie D. Preston Pdf

Ordinary people can perform acts of astonishing selflessness, sometimes even putting their lives on the line. A pregnant woman saw a dorsal fin and blood in the water—and dove right in to pull her wounded husband to safety. Remarkably, some even leap into action to save complete strangers: one New York man jumped onto the subway tracks to rescue a boy who had fallen into the path of an oncoming train. Such behavior is not uniquely human. Researchers have found that mother rodents are highly motivated to bring newborn pups—not just their own—back to safety. What do these stories have in common, and what do they reveal about the instinct to protect others? In The Altruistic Urge, Stephanie D. Preston explores how and why we developed a surprisingly powerful drive to help the vulnerable. She argues that the neural and psychological mechanisms that evolved to safeguard offspring also motivate people to save strangers in need of immediate aid. Eye-catching dramatic rescues bear a striking similarity to how other mammals retrieve their young and help explain more mundane forms of support like donating money. Merging extensive interdisciplinary research that spans psychology, neuroscience, neurobiology, and evolutionary biology, Preston develops a groundbreaking model of altruistic responses. Her theory accounts for extraordinary feats of bravery, all-too-common apathy, and everything in between—and it can also be deployed to craft more effective appeals to assist those in need.

Author : Scott Boorman
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 480 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 2012-12-02
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780323148856

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The Genetics Of Altruism by Scott Boorman Pdf

The Genetics of Altruism covers the primary findings on social evolution, social trait, and altruism from a population genetics standpoint to establish a system of genetic boxes. It presents an evolutionary question with two faces: Why are there so many social species? Why, in all the diversity of the animal kingdom, are the social species so few? To address the evolutionary question, this book focuses on recognition of the fact that on an evolutionary time, scale genetics must underlie all changes in the capacity for social structure and other aspects of organic evolution. It presents comparative analyses framed in mathematical terms; mathematical concepts as a means of getting outside human, perhaps more generally primate and carnivore; frames of reference; and alternative network combinatorics as a natural basis for comparing social structures that are phylogenetically remote. It also discusses the comparative biology of social behavior on a purely descriptive basis through the social and evolutionary structures emergent. The book concludes by discussing major evolutionary pathways, various kinds of preadaptedness for sociality, and the use of cascade principle to suggest ways in which human evolution may have been a special case. This book is a valuable resource for biologists, social scientists, researchers, students, and all those who want to broaden their knowledge in the field of social behavior and altruism.

Author : Richard Dawkins
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 372 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 1989
Category : Medical
ISBN : 0192860925

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The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins Pdf

Science need not be dull and bogged down by jargon, as Richard Dawkins proves in this entertaining look at evolution. The themes he takes up are the concepts of altruistic and selfish behaviour; the genetical definition of selfish interest; the evolution of aggressive behaviour; kinshiptheory; sex ratio theory; reciprocal altruism; deceit; and the natural selection of sex differences. 'Should be read, can be read by almost anyone. It describes with great skill a new face of the theory of evolution.' W.D. Hamilton, Science

Author : Anonim
Publisher : National Academies Press
Page : 455 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 2011
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9780309218399

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In the Light of Evolution V: Cooperation and Conflict by Anonim Pdf

Author : Stephen G. Post,Lynn G. Underwood,Jeffrey P. Schloss,William B. Hurlbut
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 532 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2002-03-28
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 019534944X

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Altruism and Altruistic Love by Stephen G. Post,Lynn G. Underwood,Jeffrey P. Schloss,William B. Hurlbut Pdf

The concept of altruism, or disinterested concern for another's welfare, has been discussed by everyone from theologians to psychologists to biologists. In this cutting edge book, evolutionary, neurological, developmental, psychological, social, cultural, and religious aspects of altruistic behavior are examined by renowned researchers. The result is a collaborative and provocative look at one of humanity's essential and defining characteristics.

Author : David Sloan Wilson
Publisher : Yale University Press
Page : 190 pages
File Size : 49,8 Mb
Release : 2015-01-01
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780300189490

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Does Altruism Exist? by David Sloan Wilson Pdf

Argues that altruism is an inherent factor of group functionality and discusses how studying group function can promote positive changes to the human condition.

Author : Jason Rudall
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 287 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2021-08-12
Category : Law
ISBN : 9781108835251

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Altruism in International Law by Jason Rudall Pdf

The first book-length study of international law through the lens of altruism.

Author : Samuel Bowles,Herbert Gintis
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 274 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2013-07-21
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780691158167

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A Cooperative Species by Samuel Bowles,Herbert Gintis Pdf

Why do humans, uniquely among animals, cooperate in large numbers to advance projects for the common good? Contrary to the conventional wisdom in biology and economics, this generous and civic-minded behavior is widespread and cannot be explained simply by far-sighted self-interest or a desire to help close genealogical kin. In A Cooperative Species, Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis--pioneers in the new experimental and evolutionary science of human behavior--show that the central issue is not why selfish people act generously, but instead how genetic and cultural evolution has produced a species in which substantial numbers make sacrifices to uphold ethical norms and to help even total strangers. The authors describe how, for thousands of generations, cooperation with fellow group members has been essential to survival. Groups that created institutions to protect the civic-minded from exploitation by the selfish flourished and prevailed in conflicts with less cooperative groups. Key to this process was the evolution of social emotions such as shame and guilt, and our capacity to internalize social norms so that acting ethically became a personal goal rather than simply a prudent way to avoid punishment. Using experimental, archaeological, genetic, and ethnographic data to calibrate models of the coevolution of genes and culture as well as prehistoric warfare and other forms of group competition, A Cooperative Species provides a compelling and novel account of how humans came to be moral and cooperative.

Author : Samuel Bowles,Herbert Gintis
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 275 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2011-05-31
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781400838837

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A Cooperative Species by Samuel Bowles,Herbert Gintis Pdf

A fascinating look at the evolutionary origins of cooperation Why do humans, uniquely among animals, cooperate in large numbers to advance projects for the common good? Contrary to the conventional wisdom in biology and economics, this generous and civic-minded behavior is widespread and cannot be explained simply by far-sighted self-interest or a desire to help close genealogical kin. In A Cooperative Species, Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis—pioneers in the new experimental and evolutionary science of human behavior—show that the central issue is not why selfish people act generously, but instead how genetic and cultural evolution has produced a species in which substantial numbers make sacrifices to uphold ethical norms and to help even total strangers. The authors describe how, for thousands of generations, cooperation with fellow group members has been essential to survival. Groups that created institutions to protect the civic-minded from exploitation by the selfish flourished and prevailed in conflicts with less cooperative groups. Key to this process was the evolution of social emotions such as shame and guilt, and our capacity to internalize social norms so that acting ethically became a personal goal rather than simply a prudent way to avoid punishment. Using experimental, archaeological, genetic, and ethnographic data to calibrate models of the coevolution of genes and culture as well as prehistoric warfare and other forms of group competition, A Cooperative Species provides a compelling and novel account of how humans came to be moral and cooperative.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 444 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 1894
Category : Electronic
ISBN : UOM:39015068371437

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The Altruistic Review by Anonim Pdf

Author : Per Jensen
Publisher : CABI
Page : 311 pages
File Size : 42,5 Mb
Release : 2017-09-27
Category : Medical
ISBN : 9781786391650

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The Ethology of Domestic Animals by Per Jensen Pdf

Completely updated, revised and redesigned in colour throughout, this classic bestselling text continues to provide a concise introduction to the important fundamentals of animal behaviour from genetics, physiology, motivation, learning and cognition, through to social and reproductive behaviour, abnormal behaviour and human-animal interactions. This text remains a highly respected, essential resource for both students and lecturers in animal and veterinary science, animal welfare, zoology and psychology.

Author : Thomas Nadelhoffer,Eddy Nahmias,Shaun Nichols
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 400 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2010-10-18
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781405190206

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Moral Psychology by Thomas Nadelhoffer,Eddy Nahmias,Shaun Nichols Pdf

Moral Psychology: Historical and Contemporary Readings is the first book to bring together the most significant contemporary and historical works on the topic from both philosophy and psychology. Provides a comprehensive introduction to moral psychology, which is the study of psychological mechanisms and processes underlying ethics and morality Unique in bringing together contemporary texts by philosophers, psychologists and other cognitive scientists with foundational works from both philosophy and psychology Approaches moral psychology from an empirically informed perspective Explores a wide range of topics from passion and altruism to virtue and responsibility Editorial introductions to each section explain the background of and connections between the selections

Author : Charles Daniel Batson
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 336 pages
File Size : 47,5 Mb
Release : 2011
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9780195341065

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Altruism in Humans by Charles Daniel Batson Pdf

Authored by the world's leading scholar on altruism, and based on decades of research, this landmark work is an authoritative scholarly resource on the theory surrounding altruism and its potential contribution to better interpersonal relations and a greater society. --Book Jacket.