What Makes Us Human?

by Charles Pasternak (Editor)

The greatest thinkers of our day offer their answers to this perennial puzzle

In "What Makes us Human?" some of the world's most brilliant thinkers answer this perennial puzzle. Is it our imagination or our knack for cooking? Is it because we are social, scientific, or spiritual? Exploring the true nature of human nature, "What Makes us Human?" sheds new light on how and why our ancestors produced such clever, talented, and unlikely progeny. It features contributions by Susan Blackmore, Robin Dunbar, Stephen Oppenheimer, Ian Tattersall, and more. It is for all to enjoy.

Genres: Science, Evolution, Nonfiction, Philosophy

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a stroll through the museum of easily disproven claims about categorical uniqueness of human nature. Some of the essays were more interesting than others, and kudos to the author for range, but I don’t know why he stops short of drawing the most reasonable conclusion of all this research- humans are unique only in degree, not for any binary type.

[Kamen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was going really good until you started speculating about God. Yes, unfortunately, religion is undeniable part of human history. However, we are not "half angels" or wired to the metaphysical, unless someone proves otherwise. It's a purely socio-psychological phenomenon.
You still made it up in the part about cooking, where the reader is reminded why we are not naturally vegans and why raw-only diet is a bad idea.
In conclusion - entertaining look at our evolution and how we differ from other species.

[Rakan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes us human? In this book, a group of experts try to answer that question. Is it mind, language, culture and religion, our ability to cook and reason, or is it some thing else intirely. The book doesn't give a definite answer, but the essays themselves are very interesting and satisfying.
I disliked a couple of chapters due to scientific inaccuracy.
A pretty good read!