Origins of Altruism and Cooperation

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Origins of Altruism and Cooperation by , Springer New York
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781441995209
Publisher: Springer New York Publication: August 2, 2011
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781441995209
Publisher: Springer New York
Publication: August 2, 2011
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Springer New York

Cover of the book Multiprocessor Systems on Chip by
Cover of the book Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents by
Cover of the book Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children VI by
Cover of the book Optimizing Stormwater Treatment Practices by
Cover of the book Contraception for the Medically Challenging Patient by
Cover of the book How to Measure Angles from Foot Radiographs by
Cover of the book New Software Engineering Paradigm Based on Complexity Science by
Cover of the book SmartData by
Cover of the book Evaluating Mental Health Disability in the Workplace by
Cover of the book Laparoscopic Surgery by
Cover of the book Meteorological Satellite Systems by
Cover of the book Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto and How to Observe Them by
Cover of the book American Normal by
Cover of the book A Practical Approach to Software Quality by
Cover of the book Persons: Understanding Psychological Selfhood and Agency by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy