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What Makes Us Human?
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.
With contributions by Susan Blackmore, Robin
Dunbar, Stephen Oppenheimer, Ian Tattersall, and
more.For all to enjoy.
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.
With contributions by Susan Blackmore, Robin
Dunbar, Stephen Oppenheimer, Ian Tattersall, and
more.For all to enjoy.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2020
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.
September 1, 2016
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.
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.
November 9, 2011
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!
I disliked a couple of chapters due to scientific inaccuracy.
A pretty good read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews