What do you think?
Rate this book
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human
Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger. These are the Seven Deadly Sins, the vices of humankind that define immorality, the roots of all evil in this world.
These sins, balanced by the Seven Cardinal Virtues, have their origins in Greco-Roman mythology and subsequently early Christianity. But do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Are they really just a result of how our bodies, our psyches and our brains in particular, are wired?
This book explores the underlying nature of the Seven Deadly Sins, their neuroscientific and psychological basis, their origin in our genes, and, crucially, how certain medical disorders may give rise to them. We meet individuals whose physical and psychological conditions have given rise to these sins, where brain injury or psychological experiences have given rise to “immoral” actions, how illness has simply exposed what lies within us. We see how the origins of the definition of these traits as sins lie in evolutionary imperatives to preserve the tribe, to ensure the wellbeing of our societies. But we also learn how for all of us, these character traits are perhaps less of a moral question, and more of a biological one, raising issues of responsibility and blame in the face of sin. And perhaps most importantly, whether these traits truly represent sin, or simply reflect our intrinsic drive to survive and thrive.
These sins, balanced by the Seven Cardinal Virtues, have their origins in Greco-Roman mythology and subsequently early Christianity. But do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Are they really just a result of how our bodies, our psyches and our brains in particular, are wired?
This book explores the underlying nature of the Seven Deadly Sins, their neuroscientific and psychological basis, their origin in our genes, and, crucially, how certain medical disorders may give rise to them. We meet individuals whose physical and psychological conditions have given rise to these sins, where brain injury or psychological experiences have given rise to “immoral” actions, how illness has simply exposed what lies within us. We see how the origins of the definition of these traits as sins lie in evolutionary imperatives to preserve the tribe, to ensure the wellbeing of our societies. But we also learn how for all of us, these character traits are perhaps less of a moral question, and more of a biological one, raising issues of responsibility and blame in the face of sin. And perhaps most importantly, whether these traits truly represent sin, or simply reflect our intrinsic drive to survive and thrive.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2024
107 people are currently reading
6453 people want to read
About the author
Guy Leschziner
6 books139 followersGuy Leschziner is a consultant neurologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London, where he leads the Sleep Disorders Centre, one of the largest sleep services in Europe, and professor of neurology and sleep medicine at King’s College London.
Alongside his clinical work, he is the presenter of the "Mysteries of Sleep" and "Senses" series on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, is editor of the forthcoming Oxford Specialist Handbook of Sleep Medicine (OUP), and is Neurology Section editor for the next edition of Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (Elsevier).
Alongside his clinical work, he is the presenter of the "Mysteries of Sleep" and "Senses" series on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, is editor of the forthcoming Oxford Specialist Handbook of Sleep Medicine (OUP), and is Neurology Section editor for the next edition of Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (Elsevier).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 27, 2024
To put it as succinctly as possible, the issue with this book is that it fails on three key aspects: it misunderstands and misrepresents the concept of Deadly Sin, it mixes up and misrepresents the examples of biological causes of "sin," and the author doesn't know how to clearly convey his stance on free will and determinism, if indeed he has a firm one at all.
First point first: The concept of Deadly Sin in Christianity is all about two things: accountability and spiritual growth. It does not have, and never has had, anything to do with psychopathology and abnormal behaviours caused by mental illness and of biological origin. It's always been pretty clear that sin and mental illness aren't the same. So the author's first and very major mistake was (I hope not purposefully, but I am not giving the benefit of the doubt here) to equate the Seven Deadly Sins with psychiatric conditions, with the seeming goal of "disproving" that it exists or that we have any control over them because it's all biology.
I'm sorry to say, but that's hogwash. A Deadly Sin is about you being responsible for what you can definitely control and rein in, like you can avoid being a cheating bastard or a fat glutton if you don't give in to Lust and Gluttony and revel in it. But you can't say someone with a head injury or brain tumour that has frightening rage attacks or someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can be held accountable for giving in to Wrath or Sloth. That's the whole damn point! What you can do, not what you can't do. The religious aspect of Deadly Sin has never condemned people who are victims of biological issues and can't control their behaviour. I would kindly ask the author: who do you think created the first-ever psychiatric hospital in the West, please? Do you even know?
Answer: The Catholic Church. The very ones that created the concept of Seven Deadly Sins. Please, inform yourself before misrepresenting this, because your book starts off as a theological and philosophical failure due to this important mistake.
Second point next: In order to prove whatever argument the author is making, he uses extreme cases. All the case studies he presents are psychiatric rarities or common mental health issues of biological origin, that again have absolutely nothing to do with sin on the patients' part. He's basically aiming to "disprove" a philosophical tenet with throwing extreme cases of illness at it, ignoring that the philosophical tenet applies to healthy people and not the infirm. What's even worse, he also implies that the sufferers have no free will at all since it's their brain condition speaking, ergo they're not sinful, so checkmate to Deadly Sins. Again, I'm sorry, but that's the weakest strawman I've read; it's all made up so you can easily "debunk" it when the argument never existed in the first place. The Church considers the mentally infirm blameless, not sinful. You could argue with them over their idea that infirmities exist because of sin, but that is Original Sin, something entirely different from the Deadly Sins.
See, this is one of the many reasons I am always in trepidation when Determinist scientists delve into philosophical concepts that are immaterial and immeasurable, they tend to obtusely misunderstand it all. This book is one more example of many.
To conclude, the third point: Leschziner seems to have got an inkling (too late) that he may have bitten more than he can chew, because the eight chapter is entitled "Free Will," and in that one he attempts (unsuccessfully) to fix the mistakes of having misunderstood and misrepresented the two prior key points by (weakly) arguing that, whilst his scientific little monkey on his right shoulder tells him to vote for Determinism and completely discard free will and accountability, his experimented therapist little monkey on his left shoulder tells him there must be some kind of responsibility . . . and tops it off with another inadequate example of a cold-blooded murderer whose childhood was spent in a dysfunctional home. So? What are you arguing exactly? Or are you trying to make this book a legal failure as well? Because even secular law differentiates between accountability (the S word you want to erase) and non-accountability due to biological malfunctions. The insanity defence exists for a reason, you know.
Maybe what the author really wanted was to have a discussion about free will and the extent it is applicable, an extent Science and Religion/Philosophy disagree on, and very hotly at times. But this is a hot button topic that great minds have sunk their teeth into before, and he was simply not equipped for such a complex topic, if this book is anything to judge by. I came out of reading this feeling baffled and confused at the arguments; it was that poorly structured indeed.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First point first: The concept of Deadly Sin in Christianity is all about two things: accountability and spiritual growth. It does not have, and never has had, anything to do with psychopathology and abnormal behaviours caused by mental illness and of biological origin. It's always been pretty clear that sin and mental illness aren't the same. So the author's first and very major mistake was (I hope not purposefully, but I am not giving the benefit of the doubt here) to equate the Seven Deadly Sins with psychiatric conditions, with the seeming goal of "disproving" that it exists or that we have any control over them because it's all biology.
I'm sorry to say, but that's hogwash. A Deadly Sin is about you being responsible for what you can definitely control and rein in, like you can avoid being a cheating bastard or a fat glutton if you don't give in to Lust and Gluttony and revel in it. But you can't say someone with a head injury or brain tumour that has frightening rage attacks or someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can be held accountable for giving in to Wrath or Sloth. That's the whole damn point! What you can do, not what you can't do. The religious aspect of Deadly Sin has never condemned people who are victims of biological issues and can't control their behaviour. I would kindly ask the author: who do you think created the first-ever psychiatric hospital in the West, please? Do you even know?
Answer: The Catholic Church. The very ones that created the concept of Seven Deadly Sins. Please, inform yourself before misrepresenting this, because your book starts off as a theological and philosophical failure due to this important mistake.
Second point next: In order to prove whatever argument the author is making, he uses extreme cases. All the case studies he presents are psychiatric rarities or common mental health issues of biological origin, that again have absolutely nothing to do with sin on the patients' part. He's basically aiming to "disprove" a philosophical tenet with throwing extreme cases of illness at it, ignoring that the philosophical tenet applies to healthy people and not the infirm. What's even worse, he also implies that the sufferers have no free will at all since it's their brain condition speaking, ergo they're not sinful, so checkmate to Deadly Sins. Again, I'm sorry, but that's the weakest strawman I've read; it's all made up so you can easily "debunk" it when the argument never existed in the first place. The Church considers the mentally infirm blameless, not sinful. You could argue with them over their idea that infirmities exist because of sin, but that is Original Sin, something entirely different from the Deadly Sins.
See, this is one of the many reasons I am always in trepidation when Determinist scientists delve into philosophical concepts that are immaterial and immeasurable, they tend to obtusely misunderstand it all. This book is one more example of many.
To conclude, the third point: Leschziner seems to have got an inkling (too late) that he may have bitten more than he can chew, because the eight chapter is entitled "Free Will," and in that one he attempts (unsuccessfully) to fix the mistakes of having misunderstood and misrepresented the two prior key points by (weakly) arguing that, whilst his scientific little monkey on his right shoulder tells him to vote for Determinism and completely discard free will and accountability, his experimented therapist little monkey on his left shoulder tells him there must be some kind of responsibility . . . and tops it off with another inadequate example of a cold-blooded murderer whose childhood was spent in a dysfunctional home. So? What are you arguing exactly? Or are you trying to make this book a legal failure as well? Because even secular law differentiates between accountability (the S word you want to erase) and non-accountability due to biological malfunctions. The insanity defence exists for a reason, you know.
Maybe what the author really wanted was to have a discussion about free will and the extent it is applicable, an extent Science and Religion/Philosophy disagree on, and very hotly at times. But this is a hot button topic that great minds have sunk their teeth into before, and he was simply not equipped for such a complex topic, if this book is anything to judge by. I came out of reading this feeling baffled and confused at the arguments; it was that poorly structured indeed.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2025
The ebb and flow of human history is defined by the Seven Deadly Sins: wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, greed, and pride. From the wrath that has ignited revolutions, to the greed that has re-sculpted the world map. From the sloth that has led to the fall of empires, to the envy that has built them. From the lust that has led to the fall of politicians and the betrayal of national secrets, to the voracious gluttony that has left our environment in ruination, and the pride that has fueled countless conflicts.--------------------------------------
Disorders of the brain, of our genes, or other physical conditions, may give rise to gluttony, lust, wrath or pride. The effects of our environment or our upbringing may produce envy, lust or sloth. Crucially, these disorders unmask what is already in us, what already exists in all of us.William J. Bennet (before he was outed as a compulsive gambler) is reputed to have said “One man’s vice is another man’s virtue.” Pope Gregory, in the sixth century CE, had a different idea, whittling a larger, earlier list down to seven deadly sins. (One wonders if there might be a grander list of [insert number here] bloody annoying sins). I do remember in my Catholic grammar school days Monsignor Marshall giving a sermon on venial sin (non-deadly, but as far as I can recall not presented as a list), in which he offered up the image of Jesus on the cross, and proclaimed that committing a venial sin was like slapping the nailed Christ across the face, albeit not very hard. No Jewish mother ever delivered a more impactful guilt trip.
Professor Guy Leschziner - image from The Daily Mail
In his prior book, The Man Who Tasted Words, Professor Leschziner looked at places where the lines between our senses appear to be somewhat porous, sense-A leaking into sense-B for some individuals. Hearing colors, seeing sounds, aphasic things like that. He offered an examination of what is considered usual, and where, in the brain, wires may have become crossed. He looked at individuals who reported such experiences and attempted to trace back into the brain where each sense resided, and connected to others.
Here he uses as his starting point the notion of the seven deadly sins, and offers neurological analysis of behaviors commonly regarded as sinful. Bu the Seven Deadly sins seem to divide into two groups, one based on behavior and one based on emotion. Wrath, Gluttony, Sloth and Greed require action to do actual damage, while Pride, Envy and Lust can remain internal. You may think you are better than everyone else, but unless you do something based on that belief, it makes no difference. Ditto Lust and Envy. In the absence of acting on these feelings, no harm, no foul, so the playing field for looking at The Seven is uneven from the start. The subtext is the question of free will. Are we all functional free agents able to determine right from wrong or are we driven by our biology, by what our brains have, by genetic heritage and experiential conditioning, commanded us to do? And how have the behaviors that have defined our species, that have led to our accomplishments as well as our excesses, our failings, served us? Is there a range within which our less than idyllic urges can function healthfully, and outside of which they constitute pathology?
Look at aberrant behavior. Dive in to see exactly which parts of the brain have been harmed, if any. Map behaviors, needs, urges, inclinations to parts of the brain. In a way, this is a bit like explorations of yore, sailing out to see what lay over the horizon, or, fictionally, heading out on a starship to see what the universe may present. He uses several case studies of people who manifest behaviors illustrative of each of the sins, looking for neurological bases. Just as in his examination of cross-sense irregularities in his prior book, Leschziner looks at these patients with an eye toward identifying which parts of the brain bear the most responsibility for the problematic behaviors. These include a man who had had a brain bleed that changed his personality, a woman who was incapable of feeling satisfied no matter how much she ate, a 34yo man with Parkinson's and an increasing obsession with sex, a woman who believes her totally faithful husband is cheating on her, a young father who sleeps twenty hours a day, a man has delusions of grandeur until multiple abscessed teeth are removed, oh, and the Panama Papers. Centers of emotional concern include the amygdala, the pre-frontal cortex, a warrior gene, and the hypothalamus internally. He looks at the influence of bacteria, viruses, dopamines, and more impacting from the outside. Increasingly, science can indeed offer some answers to the why of behaviors, to a point.
In his novel, Fleur de Lis, Anatole France wrote. “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” There are clearly hypocritical societal interpretations of sin, of what sinful behaviors will be tolerated and which will be sanctioned. (Unless, of course, you are a president with a friendly Congress and SCOTUS, in which case, just go ahead with whatever you are doing there on Fifth Avenue.)
Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be kingAnd most societies assign moral responsibility to the actor. The question is whether a person is morally responsible for his/her actions or is a slave to, and predetermined by impulses, by one’s underlying and overwhelming personal psychological makeup.
And a king ain't satisfied till he rules everything - Springsteen – Badlands
if you believe that the brain is the origin of our personalities and our character traits, the basis of our decisions, be they good or bad, then it is arguable that much of what defines us is outside of our control.Whether we are all able to make actual free choices or are slaves to our biology, it is clear that society needs to be able to restrict our ability to harm each other, that protecting each other from the worst in people is a reasonable social responsibility.
It is made clear that the drives that we regard as sinful have provided considerable benefit to our evolution as a species. No lust? No reproduction. No envy? No reason to be more productive. No wrath? No defense against attack.
Leaving the question of evil. At first blush is seems that evil serves no obvious Darwinian purpose. On second thought, though, I expect there might be a case made for evil existing as an existential challenge in order to provide a testing ground against which one might measure strength of character and/or the superiority of one’s genes, whether physical or intellectual. In a way, like ice ages, rapid climate change, or a voracious saber-tooth tiger, evil might be seen as a natural force, even if it manifests through human beings.
Leschziner has offered up a provocative, thoughtful brain-candy-ish look at how science, as it advances, keeps finding biological explanations for fraught psychological behaviors. But our impulses and makeup remain what they are. And this is one of the pleasures of reading The Seven Deadly Sins. Learning what a strange creature is homo sapiens, and how we are put together. It seems quite clear that the real original sin is to have been born human.
extrinsic factors – medication, injury, or functional disturbance of the brain – rather than our values can cause us to act in ways that contravene our moralReview posted - 02/21/25
code. However, that dividing line between what constitutes normality and pathology shifts in the sand. That line is blurred by the prevailing winds of our views on morality, legality, philosophy and medicine.
Publication date – 12/3/24
I received paper and ePub AREs of Seven Deadly Sins from St Martin’s in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.
This review is cross-posted on my site, Coot’s Reviews. Stop by and say Hi!
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to the author’s personal, Instagram, and Twitter pages
Profile
Interviews
The Guardian – Science Weekly Podcast - Are we hardwired to commit ‘deadly sins’? – podcast
- audio - 23:59
-----The Jewish Chronicle - Were the Nazis inherently evil? ByJennifer Lipman
-----Greed, gluttony, sloth…lust! Why you sinned this Christmas by Anna Maxted
Items of Interest from the author
-----Big Issue - The truth is we're all sinners – it's how we survive as human beings
-----Next Big Idea Club - A Scientific Examination of the Seven Deadly Sins
My review of the author's prior book
-----2022 - The Man Who Tasted Words
=======================EXTRA EXTRA STUFF
George Carlin famously distilled the ten commandments down to two.
It seems pretty clear that the seven deadly sins can likewise be slimmed down as well.
Pride. What does this actually mean?
Believing that you are better than other people? What if you are? Faster, stronger, better looking, smarter. Something more than others. Is recognizing your superiority a sin if it is true? The bible seems to maintain that an “Excessive” self-regard is where the line is crossed, but who gets to determine where the line is drawn between factual and excessive self-regard?
But pride does seem to be a pre-condition for other sins. Wrath, or extreme anger, certainly seems an appropriate response to extreme provocation. Hardly a sin. But in order to get into a sinful bit of wrathful behavior it must be excessive. In order for it to be excessive the deliverer of such wrath must hold a higher view of him or herself vis a vis the target than seems justifiable. Soooo, excessive pride, right? So, scratch wrath, and we are down to six.
Gluttony – excessive consumption to the point of waste.
Wiki tells us that In Christianity, it is considered a sin if the excessive desire for food leads to a lack of control over one's relation with food or harms the body. But if the desire for food entails loss of control over one’s relation to food, where is free will? Isn’t that a definition of pathology? And a pathological behavior is hardly sinful. And just what constitutes excessive desire? If we remove the pathological from this formula, we are left with a person feeling entitled to consume (and I think it is safe to expand the notion of consumption here from food to all things material) as if they are better or more deserving of such things. Which brings us back to pride. Gluttony eats itself into a coma and we are down to five.
Greed
Catholic.com claims that Greed is the disordered love of riches. Hmmm, who gets to define “disordered?” and doesn’t a love of riches include a personal belief that one deserves such riches? Here we go again. It requires excessive self-regard to crave riches at a “disordered” level, no? Greed crushes itself with massive accumulation of stuff and we are left with four.
For these other sins, we delineate the pathologies that shape our thoughts and behaviours, and set them apart from those underlying character traits through their intensity and consequences. For greed, we do no such thing. Yet greed, like the other sins, is perilous in its most extreme forms, causing harm to individuals and wider society alike.Is Donald Trump, a career criminal, capable of differentiating between right and wrong, or was he so damaged by his genetics and upbringing and injured by his subsequent business training at the feet of his sociopathic father, that he is incapable of telling or even caring about the difference between good and bad? Similar for Elon Musk. How great would it be were Leschziner able to do a detailed examination of both men’s brains. Because if they are capable of discriminating right from wrong, then we have a pretty clear proof that there are indeed forces of evil loose in the world, which I expect would come as a great shock to few but the most ardent atheists.
Lust and envy seem sub-elements of the same thing, wanting something that someone else has. Surely lust between two unattached people is no sin. It is only when one person (at least) is already attached that lust becomes problematic (presuming a monogamous baseline). So, wanting something (someone) who/which is not yours, but which is attached to, or is owned by someone else. So what? We all want stuff we do not or cannot have. How is this a sin? It seem to me that having feelings like lust and envy is completely natural. It is only when we take actions to effectuate such the desire, to the detriment of others that the sin element is realized. Down to two.
According to Wikipedia Sloth is the most difficult sin to define and credit as sin, since it refers to an assortment of ideas, dating from antiquity and including mental, spiritual, pathological, and conditional states. One definition is a habitual disinclination to exertion, or laziness. Willful laziness is surely not cool. Just ask any married person whose partner declines to hold up his or her end, opting instead to watch football or soaps. This one seems likely to be based in behavior, as the sinner here engages in slothful behavior, doesn’t just feel…um…slothful. I could certainly see many real-world examples, beyond couch potato chore-avoiders. There are many people who cannot be bothered exercising the intelligence they were born with to examine themselves, their community, public issues, religious beliefs, or much of anything. It may well be that they believe themselves not up to such analysis, and maybe they are not. But for many, if not all, it does seem that the disinclination rests on a belief that they are too good to have to bother with such things, that they have it all figured out and need look no further than the perimeter of their personal bubble…so…excessive pride. And poof! We are down to one.
Pride goeth before the fall, and, apparently every other form of sinfulness. There is only one deadly sin, excessive self-regard, which feeds all the others, and becomes problematic only when put into actual real-world action.
August 25, 2024
We are taught from a young age what the seven deadly sins are and to avoid them at all costs. This book delves into the minds of several patients who have various medical issues. I learned sone insights and takeaways from this book.
November 17, 2024
There’s good pop science and there’s bad pop science. Good pop science simplifies and humanises complicated concepts and research in a way that is entertaining, non-reductive, and interesting. Bad pop science is a collection of facts from wikipedia with well-designed cover art. This is bad pop science
The book’s biggest problem is that it seemed to promise to present these interesting medical cases, and then use them to spark a deeper discussion of the determinist vs non-determinist debate and its relationship to responsibility and blame. Like it sort of shrugged its shoulders at the end of each chapter and went “well we can’t blame these people for being criminals it was just their tumour speaking” but like, yes basically everyone agrees on that wherever you stand on this free will debate. He treats the debate in philosophy between determinists and libertarians as like a fun sideshow or afterthought but staking out a position in this debate is actually fundamental to the whole pretext of the book (the pretext being something like “proving those darned moralistic anti-medicine folks wrong!”)
Without a grounding in one of determinism, compatibilism, or libertarianism, the book actually does worse than how I defined bad pop science earlier (collecting facts from wikipedia), but genuinely feels like watching a circus where freak after medical freak are paraded in front of the reader for them to ogle at before the reader is appealed to to find it in their heart to forgive these monsters because they don’t know any better!
special mention has to go to the two worst chapters:
1. Lust. The few pages on transness shoehorned into the lust chapter is weird - annoying to see trans people ONCE AGAIN implicated in discussions of deviant or sinful sexuality, although not unusual or unexpected. Also a lot of that chapter just feels like kink-shaming??
2. Greed. This chapter is 100% filler. It feels pointless to the extent that it casts doubt on structuring this around the 7 deadly sins in general and makes that whole structure feel a bit forced
The book’s biggest problem is that it seemed to promise to present these interesting medical cases, and then use them to spark a deeper discussion of the determinist vs non-determinist debate and its relationship to responsibility and blame. Like it sort of shrugged its shoulders at the end of each chapter and went “well we can’t blame these people for being criminals it was just their tumour speaking” but like, yes basically everyone agrees on that wherever you stand on this free will debate. He treats the debate in philosophy between determinists and libertarians as like a fun sideshow or afterthought but staking out a position in this debate is actually fundamental to the whole pretext of the book (the pretext being something like “proving those darned moralistic anti-medicine folks wrong!”)
Without a grounding in one of determinism, compatibilism, or libertarianism, the book actually does worse than how I defined bad pop science earlier (collecting facts from wikipedia), but genuinely feels like watching a circus where freak after medical freak are paraded in front of the reader for them to ogle at before the reader is appealed to to find it in their heart to forgive these monsters because they don’t know any better!
special mention has to go to the two worst chapters:
1. Lust. The few pages on transness shoehorned into the lust chapter is weird - annoying to see trans people ONCE AGAIN implicated in discussions of deviant or sinful sexuality, although not unusual or unexpected. Also a lot of that chapter just feels like kink-shaming??
2. Greed. This chapter is 100% filler. It feels pointless to the extent that it casts doubt on structuring this around the 7 deadly sins in general and makes that whole structure feel a bit forced
November 22, 2024
Seven Deadly Sins - the biology of being human by Guy Leschziner
This book was a fascinating look at the underlying nature of the seven deadly sins… it covers them in neuroscience, psychology and genetics. How cool is that? Turns out, even cooler than I imagined.
It was epic! It lays out the idea that we aren’t sinful but that these things originate in our DNA! It was fantastic read and the writing was good but I would say it wouldn’t be for a layperson. It’s a bit in depth and heavy especially if you don’t know much about subject matter but I was blown away and talked my hubs ears off after I was done.
Best book of the month for me 5 stars
This book was a fascinating look at the underlying nature of the seven deadly sins… it covers them in neuroscience, psychology and genetics. How cool is that? Turns out, even cooler than I imagined.
It was epic! It lays out the idea that we aren’t sinful but that these things originate in our DNA! It was fantastic read and the writing was good but I would say it wouldn’t be for a layperson. It’s a bit in depth and heavy especially if you don’t know much about subject matter but I was blown away and talked my hubs ears off after I was done.
Best book of the month for me 5 stars
November 24, 2024
نحن البشر نعتبر من الحالات الشاذة مقارنة بعالم الحيوان. ففي حين يسعى الجنس البشري بوضوح في بعض الأحيان إلى إقامة علاقات قصيرة الأمد، فإنه ينتهج عموماً استراتيجية أخرى. وعلى النقيض من الرئيسيات الأخرى، يخصص الذكور من البشر أحياناً قدراً هائلاً من الطاقة ليكونوا آباء. ولا تظهر سوى نسبة 3-5% من الأنواع الثديية علاقات طويلة الأمد تشبه العلاقات البشرية طويلة الأمد.
وبالنسبة للتطور، فإن فوائد العلاقة المستقرة طويلة الأمد بالنسبة للنساء تكون أكثر وضوحاً، في سياق الوقت والطاقة التي يتعين عليهن تكريسها للحمل ورعاية ذريتهن. ويسمح التزاوج طويل الأمد بالوصول إلى الموارد ــ فالنساء يثمنّ الآفاق المالية لشركائهن أكثر من الرجال، في كل الثقافات والأديان. والنساء أكثر حساسية للراتب بألف مرة عند تقييم الرجال مقارنة بالعكس، وحتى في مجتمعات الصيد والجمع، فإن القدرة على توفير ما يلزم من صيد ورعاية تشكل أهمية كبيرة بالنسبة للنساء عند اختيار شريك الحياة.
وهناك ميزة محتملة أخرى تتمثل في الحماية الجسدية. ومن هنا فإن النتائج المتسقة التي توصلت إليها النساء تشير إلى أن طول القامة، والكتفين الأعرض، والعضلات القوية أكثر جاذبية. وتمتد هذه الفوائد، المتمثلة في وجود مقدم رعاية وحارس شخصي، إلى ذرية المرأة أيضاً، مما يساهم في احتمال انتقال جيناتها إلى الأجيال التالية.
ولكن ماذا عن الرجال؟ من المؤكد أن الطريقة لتعظيم فرص انتقال جيناتك هي تلقيح أكبر عدد ممكن من النساء. فما هي الضرورات التطورية للعلاقات الطويلة الأمد بدلاً من اللقاءات القصيرة؟ حسناً، ربما يرجع ذلك جزئياً إلى النساء. وفي نهاية المطاف، ومن منظور تطوري، يريد الرجل أيضاً شريكة ذات جودة وراثية عالية، لتعظيم فرص نجاح ذريته، وتجنب الاستثمار في ذرية رجال آخرين. إن الهدف هنا هو العثور على شريكة ذات قيمة عالية، تتمتع بصحة وراثية وخصوبة، لكي تحتكر مواردها الإنجابية، وتتأكد من أن النسل الذي يعتقد أنه ينتمي إليه هو نسله بالفعل. وإذا كانت النساء ذوات القيمة الوراثية والإنجابية الأعلى تتطلبن التزاماً أعلى، فإن الاستراتيجية الأفضل بوضوح هي إظهار هذا الالتزام. ويشير بعض العلماء إلى أن الدافع التطوري للرجال في السعي إلى إقامة علاقات طويلة الأمد يتحدد في الأساس من خلال متطلبات النساء ذوات القيمة العالية.
.
Guy Leschziner
Seven Deadly Sins
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
وبالنسبة للتطور، فإن فوائد العلاقة المستقرة طويلة الأمد بالنسبة للنساء تكون أكثر وضوحاً، في سياق الوقت والطاقة التي يتعين عليهن تكريسها للحمل ورعاية ذريتهن. ويسمح التزاوج طويل الأمد بالوصول إلى الموارد ــ فالنساء يثمنّ الآفاق المالية لشركائهن أكثر من الرجال، في كل الثقافات والأديان. والنساء أكثر حساسية للراتب بألف مرة عند تقييم الرجال مقارنة بالعكس، وحتى في مجتمعات الصيد والجمع، فإن القدرة على توفير ما يلزم من صيد ورعاية تشكل أهمية كبيرة بالنسبة للنساء عند اختيار شريك الحياة.
وهناك ميزة محتملة أخرى تتمثل في الحماية الجسدية. ومن هنا فإن النتائج المتسقة التي توصلت إليها النساء تشير إلى أن طول القامة، والكتفين الأعرض، والعضلات القوية أكثر جاذبية. وتمتد هذه الفوائد، المتمثلة في وجود مقدم رعاية وحارس شخصي، إلى ذرية المرأة أيضاً، مما يساهم في احتمال انتقال جيناتها إلى الأجيال التالية.
ولكن ماذا عن الرجال؟ من المؤكد أن الطريقة لتعظيم فرص انتقال جيناتك هي تلقيح أكبر عدد ممكن من النساء. فما هي الضرورات التطورية للعلاقات الطويلة الأمد بدلاً من اللقاءات القصيرة؟ حسناً، ربما يرجع ذلك جزئياً إلى النساء. وفي نهاية المطاف، ومن منظور تطوري، يريد الرجل أيضاً شريكة ذات جودة وراثية عالية، لتعظيم فرص نجاح ذريته، وتجنب الاستثمار في ذرية رجال آخرين. إن الهدف هنا هو العثور على شريكة ذات قيمة عالية، تتمتع بصحة وراثية وخصوبة، لكي تحتكر مواردها الإنجابية، وتتأكد من أن النسل الذي يعتقد أنه ينتمي إليه هو نسله بالفعل. وإذا كانت النساء ذوات القيمة الوراثية والإنجابية الأعلى تتطلبن التزاماً أعلى، فإن الاستراتيجية الأفضل بوضوح هي إظهار هذا الالتزام. ويشير بعض العلماء إلى أن الدافع التطوري للرجال في السعي إلى إقامة علاقات طويلة الأمد يتحدد في الأساس من خلال متطلبات النساء ذوات القيمة العالية.
.
Guy Leschziner
Seven Deadly Sins
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
June 19, 2025
3.5
A rather interesting take on the seven deadly sins. We've all heard of these sins in regards to religious teachings, but this book takes those sins and compares them to different illnesses and conditions that people have. Each chapter features a different sin, and in turn, features a person (or several people) that have a medical condition that seems to fit with that sin, When wrath is discussed, we are introduced to several people that have different versions of epilepsy. These episodes can cause them to have extreme rage, though when they are not having an episode, they are perfectly normal, sometimes even shy. Gluttony introduces us to Prader-Willi syndrome, in which a person with this condition is constantly hungry and has trouble controlling their appetite, which generally leads to obesity.
It is interesting to note that while the people featured in this book do have medical conditions that seem to correlate with each sin, there are plenty of people out there that exhibit these sins without any condition to explain them, though they may try. We have seem many examples of people trying to get out of being held accountable for their actions by stating it wasn't their fault due to a medical condition. Sometimes they have a diagnosis, sometimes they don't. But at what point do we put all the blame on the condition and not the person? At what point do we say it wansn't their fault even though they knew they had a condition but did nothing to try and resolve it or help it? This book does bring up a lot of ethical and philosophical questions which have been and will continue to be debated. The author makes his point well known, but I'm sure many others won't agree.
People interested in medical abnormalities and who like to debate ethical issues will find this quite interesting. I did, though I'm not in the camp of simply writing off a persons actions completely simply because they have a medical condition. Accountability must be held somewhere, though it will vary from person to person.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review/
A rather interesting take on the seven deadly sins. We've all heard of these sins in regards to religious teachings, but this book takes those sins and compares them to different illnesses and conditions that people have. Each chapter features a different sin, and in turn, features a person (or several people) that have a medical condition that seems to fit with that sin, When wrath is discussed, we are introduced to several people that have different versions of epilepsy. These episodes can cause them to have extreme rage, though when they are not having an episode, they are perfectly normal, sometimes even shy. Gluttony introduces us to Prader-Willi syndrome, in which a person with this condition is constantly hungry and has trouble controlling their appetite, which generally leads to obesity.
It is interesting to note that while the people featured in this book do have medical conditions that seem to correlate with each sin, there are plenty of people out there that exhibit these sins without any condition to explain them, though they may try. We have seem many examples of people trying to get out of being held accountable for their actions by stating it wasn't their fault due to a medical condition. Sometimes they have a diagnosis, sometimes they don't. But at what point do we put all the blame on the condition and not the person? At what point do we say it wansn't their fault even though they knew they had a condition but did nothing to try and resolve it or help it? This book does bring up a lot of ethical and philosophical questions which have been and will continue to be debated. The author makes his point well known, but I'm sure many others won't agree.
People interested in medical abnormalities and who like to debate ethical issues will find this quite interesting. I did, though I'm not in the camp of simply writing off a persons actions completely simply because they have a medical condition. Accountability must be held somewhere, though it will vary from person to person.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review/
February 17, 2025
Really enjoyed this - it's a great combination of normal and abnormal psychology, very much in the style of The Blank Slate. Good combination of personal stories and scientific studies.
October 7, 2025
The author here is obviously tremendously experienced, and very smart.
The Luciferian intellect, however, tells us there is no freedom apart from electricity in our synapses. Carrying out the logic port forth in this one, apart from “correcting” the matter in our brains there is little hope of free will winning the day.
By this logic AA and spiritual transformation gained in that program would not influence those enslaved by alcoholism.
We disagree, and that is ok.
The Luciferian intellect, however, tells us there is no freedom apart from electricity in our synapses. Carrying out the logic port forth in this one, apart from “correcting” the matter in our brains there is little hope of free will winning the day.
By this logic AA and spiritual transformation gained in that program would not influence those enslaved by alcoholism.
We disagree, and that is ok.
May 4, 2025
3.25 stars
I guess it wasn’t so much of a bore but frustration I felt during the first chapters due to the lack of a balanced opinion/ use of research. That aspect was better in the second part of the book though I still wish he’d left out religion. It just messed up his goal a bit and was unnecessary cause I think his end conclusion/opinion could’ve been given without the religious aspect, focusing more on social /societal aspects.
Topic 7
Writing Style 7
Execution/Pace 6
Execution/Setup 5
Enjoyment/Engrossment 6
Narration 7
I guess it wasn’t so much of a bore but frustration I felt during the first chapters due to the lack of a balanced opinion/ use of research. That aspect was better in the second part of the book though I still wish he’d left out religion. It just messed up his goal a bit and was unnecessary cause I think his end conclusion/opinion could’ve been given without the religious aspect, focusing more on social /societal aspects.
Topic 7
Writing Style 7
Execution/Pace 6
Execution/Setup 5
Enjoyment/Engrossment 6
Narration 7
December 15, 2024
Guy Leschziner’s Seven Deadly Sins embarks on a profound exploration of the intrinsic and universal traits that define humanity's moral and biological essence. With a mix of scientific rigor and narrative empathy, Leschziner delves into how the Seven Deadly Sins—wrath, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and greed—stem not merely from moral failings but from the fundamental mechanisms of human biology, psychology, and evolution.
In this review, we will break down the book's structure, its most compelling arguments, and its limitations while assessing Leschziner's writing style and the broader implications of his thesis.
Introduction: A Synthesis of Morality, Neuroscience, and History
At its heart, Seven Deadly Sins challenges centuries-old notions of morality. Are the "sins" condemned by theologians and philosophers mere moral flaws? Or do they represent evolutionary traits essential for survival? Leschziner frames the discussion by blending evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and poignant case studies from his medical practice. The result is a compelling argument that what society labels as vices are, in many cases, biological imperatives.
The introduction lays a robust foundation for this thesis, positioning the sins as dual forces—drivers of personal ambition and global conflict alike. Leschziner’s own family history, shaped by war and trauma, lends a deeply personal lens to the exploration of human morality, setting the stage for a book that is as introspective as it is analytical.
The Seven Sins: Biology Meets Philosophy
1. Wrath: The Dual Nature of Anger
Leschziner’s examination of wrath is particularly engaging, as he juxtaposes its evolutionary advantages with its destructive potential. Through vivid case studies—such as Sean, whose epileptic episodes unleash violent outbursts—he demonstrates how neurological dysfunctions can manifest as uncontrollable rage.
The discussion of wrath is not merely a critique of human failings but an exploration of how the emotion has historically served as a tool for survival. Wrath, Leschziner argues, motivates action and ensures justice in social hierarchies. Yet, when unregulated, it can spiral into the violence that has shaped human history.
2. Gluttony: More Than a Moral Failing
Gluttony, perhaps the sin most closely tied to contemporary culture, is explored through the lens of neuroscience and evolutionary biology. Leschziner dissects the mechanisms of hunger and satiety, highlighting the role of leptin and other hormonal regulators. He recounts the story of James, whose life-threatening obesity is framed not as a result of moral weakness but as a complex interplay of genetics, mental health, and environmental factors.
This chapter is especially poignant in its critique of societal stigma around obesity. Leschziner urges readers to reconsider their judgments, emphasizing that gluttony is not merely an excess of appetite but often a manifestation of deeper biological and psychological forces.
3. Lust: The Seed of Creation and Destruction
Lust, the driver of procreation, is framed as the most evolutionary of the sins. Leschziner explores its neurological underpinnings, including dopamine’s role in reward pathways, and its darker manifestations, such as hypersexuality caused by brain disorders. The chapter balances scientific insights with cultural reflections, drawing connections between lust’s biological origins and its representation in art and religion.
4. Envy: The Engine of Progress and Pain
Envy, described as both a motivator and a destroyer, is one of the book’s standout discussions. Leschziner delves into its evolutionary roots, explaining how envy fosters competition and innovation but also breeds resentment and social discord. Through case studies of patients grappling with envy-driven disorders, he brings a human face to this complex emotion.
5. Sloth: Misunderstood Laziness
Sloth is redefined not as mere laziness but as a biologically ingrained energy conservation strategy. Leschziner draws on evolutionary psychology to explain why humans are wired to avoid unnecessary exertion. This chapter also delves into conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, arguing that what appears to be sloth can often be a symptom of deeper medical or psychological issues.
6. Greed: The Drive for More
Greed, often demonized as the root of societal collapse, is presented as a survival mechanism. Leschziner illustrates how the brain’s reward systems, particularly the role of dopamine, fuel the desire for accumulation. This chapter is both a critique of modern capitalism and a reflection on humanity’s unquenchable thirst for resources and power.
7. Pride: The Sin and Virtue
Pride, the “original sin,” is dissected as a double-edged sword. Leschziner argues that pride fosters self-confidence and societal leadership but, when unchecked, leads to hubris. By examining patients with disorders like narcissistic personality disorder, he highlights how the brain’s wiring can distort self-perception and exacerbate prideful behaviors.
Writing Style: Accessible and Insightful
Leschziner’s prose is a triumph of clarity and engagement. Despite tackling complex topics in neuroscience and psychology, he employs language that is accessible without being reductive. His ability to interweave case studies with scientific insights creates a narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant.
However, the book occasionally leans too heavily on anecdotal evidence, which, while compelling, might leave readers wanting more robust empirical data. This is particularly noticeable in chapters like "Lust" and "Sloth," where the case studies sometimes overshadow broader scientific explanations.
Strengths of the Book
- Interdisciplinary Approach: The blend of neuroscience, psychology, and cultural history creates a multidimensional exploration of the sins.
- Empathy and Humanity: Leschziner’s case studies bring a profound sense of humanity to his analysis, reminding readers that behind every sin is a human story.
- Relevance to Modern Issues: From obesity epidemics to capitalist greed, the book’s themes resonate deeply with contemporary societal challenges.
Critiques and Limitations
- Overreliance on Case Studies: While the anecdotes are compelling, some readers may find the scientific rigor diluted by the narrative focus.
- Limited Cross-Cultural Analysis: The book centers heavily on Western philosophical and theological concepts, with limited exploration of how other cultures interpret similar vices.
- Philosophical Underdevelopment: Although the book touches on moral philosophy, it could have delved deeper into the ethical implications of redefining sins as biological imperatives.
Conclusion: A Thought-Provoking Inquiry into Humanity
Seven Deadly Sins is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reconsider the roots of human behavior. Leschziner’s empathetic narrative and scientific insight make it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of biology, morality, and psychology.
While the book has its limitations, its central thesis—that our vices are as much a part of our biology as our virtues—offers a transformative perspective on human nature. It is a timely reminder that understanding our “sins” may be the first step toward greater empathy, both for ourselves and for others.
In this review, we will break down the book's structure, its most compelling arguments, and its limitations while assessing Leschziner's writing style and the broader implications of his thesis.
Introduction: A Synthesis of Morality, Neuroscience, and History
At its heart, Seven Deadly Sins challenges centuries-old notions of morality. Are the "sins" condemned by theologians and philosophers mere moral flaws? Or do they represent evolutionary traits essential for survival? Leschziner frames the discussion by blending evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and poignant case studies from his medical practice. The result is a compelling argument that what society labels as vices are, in many cases, biological imperatives.
The introduction lays a robust foundation for this thesis, positioning the sins as dual forces—drivers of personal ambition and global conflict alike. Leschziner’s own family history, shaped by war and trauma, lends a deeply personal lens to the exploration of human morality, setting the stage for a book that is as introspective as it is analytical.
The Seven Sins: Biology Meets Philosophy
1. Wrath: The Dual Nature of Anger
Leschziner’s examination of wrath is particularly engaging, as he juxtaposes its evolutionary advantages with its destructive potential. Through vivid case studies—such as Sean, whose epileptic episodes unleash violent outbursts—he demonstrates how neurological dysfunctions can manifest as uncontrollable rage.
The discussion of wrath is not merely a critique of human failings but an exploration of how the emotion has historically served as a tool for survival. Wrath, Leschziner argues, motivates action and ensures justice in social hierarchies. Yet, when unregulated, it can spiral into the violence that has shaped human history.
2. Gluttony: More Than a Moral Failing
Gluttony, perhaps the sin most closely tied to contemporary culture, is explored through the lens of neuroscience and evolutionary biology. Leschziner dissects the mechanisms of hunger and satiety, highlighting the role of leptin and other hormonal regulators. He recounts the story of James, whose life-threatening obesity is framed not as a result of moral weakness but as a complex interplay of genetics, mental health, and environmental factors.
This chapter is especially poignant in its critique of societal stigma around obesity. Leschziner urges readers to reconsider their judgments, emphasizing that gluttony is not merely an excess of appetite but often a manifestation of deeper biological and psychological forces.
3. Lust: The Seed of Creation and Destruction
Lust, the driver of procreation, is framed as the most evolutionary of the sins. Leschziner explores its neurological underpinnings, including dopamine’s role in reward pathways, and its darker manifestations, such as hypersexuality caused by brain disorders. The chapter balances scientific insights with cultural reflections, drawing connections between lust’s biological origins and its representation in art and religion.
4. Envy: The Engine of Progress and Pain
Envy, described as both a motivator and a destroyer, is one of the book’s standout discussions. Leschziner delves into its evolutionary roots, explaining how envy fosters competition and innovation but also breeds resentment and social discord. Through case studies of patients grappling with envy-driven disorders, he brings a human face to this complex emotion.
5. Sloth: Misunderstood Laziness
Sloth is redefined not as mere laziness but as a biologically ingrained energy conservation strategy. Leschziner draws on evolutionary psychology to explain why humans are wired to avoid unnecessary exertion. This chapter also delves into conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, arguing that what appears to be sloth can often be a symptom of deeper medical or psychological issues.
6. Greed: The Drive for More
Greed, often demonized as the root of societal collapse, is presented as a survival mechanism. Leschziner illustrates how the brain’s reward systems, particularly the role of dopamine, fuel the desire for accumulation. This chapter is both a critique of modern capitalism and a reflection on humanity’s unquenchable thirst for resources and power.
7. Pride: The Sin and Virtue
Pride, the “original sin,” is dissected as a double-edged sword. Leschziner argues that pride fosters self-confidence and societal leadership but, when unchecked, leads to hubris. By examining patients with disorders like narcissistic personality disorder, he highlights how the brain’s wiring can distort self-perception and exacerbate prideful behaviors.
Writing Style: Accessible and Insightful
Leschziner’s prose is a triumph of clarity and engagement. Despite tackling complex topics in neuroscience and psychology, he employs language that is accessible without being reductive. His ability to interweave case studies with scientific insights creates a narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant.
However, the book occasionally leans too heavily on anecdotal evidence, which, while compelling, might leave readers wanting more robust empirical data. This is particularly noticeable in chapters like "Lust" and "Sloth," where the case studies sometimes overshadow broader scientific explanations.
Strengths of the Book
- Interdisciplinary Approach: The blend of neuroscience, psychology, and cultural history creates a multidimensional exploration of the sins.
- Empathy and Humanity: Leschziner’s case studies bring a profound sense of humanity to his analysis, reminding readers that behind every sin is a human story.
- Relevance to Modern Issues: From obesity epidemics to capitalist greed, the book’s themes resonate deeply with contemporary societal challenges.
Critiques and Limitations
- Overreliance on Case Studies: While the anecdotes are compelling, some readers may find the scientific rigor diluted by the narrative focus.
- Limited Cross-Cultural Analysis: The book centers heavily on Western philosophical and theological concepts, with limited exploration of how other cultures interpret similar vices.
- Philosophical Underdevelopment: Although the book touches on moral philosophy, it could have delved deeper into the ethical implications of redefining sins as biological imperatives.
Conclusion: A Thought-Provoking Inquiry into Humanity
Seven Deadly Sins is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reconsider the roots of human behavior. Leschziner’s empathetic narrative and scientific insight make it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of biology, morality, and psychology.
While the book has its limitations, its central thesis—that our vices are as much a part of our biology as our virtues—offers a transformative perspective on human nature. It is a timely reminder that understanding our “sins” may be the first step toward greater empathy, both for ourselves and for others.
March 4, 2025
This is a really enjoyable framework for what is essentially a whistlestop tour of traits commonly accepted as negative from a neurological and psychological view. Extreme expressions are covered as well as some of the theories as to why these traits might exist in the first place.
Leschziner is clearly a medical professional and not a philosopher, but he acknowledges the philosophical questions that the book's thesis brings up, and rightly so. The last chapter, which is more about the philosophy, is therefore the weakest, but nonetheless, does its job at forming a conclusion.
The writing style is digestible despite the subject matter being something I know little about, and I have learnt that epilepsy has significantly more expressions than I'd ever even considered!
Leschziner is clearly a medical professional and not a philosopher, but he acknowledges the philosophical questions that the book's thesis brings up, and rightly so. The last chapter, which is more about the philosophy, is therefore the weakest, but nonetheless, does its job at forming a conclusion.
The writing style is digestible despite the subject matter being something I know little about, and I have learnt that epilepsy has significantly more expressions than I'd ever even considered!
December 16, 2024
Conclusion appears to be that, while the brain (and genetics and certain life experience/ environment) probably* controls man’s behavior to various degrees regarding the extremes of the sins, society nonetheless must enforce criminal justice rules against the perpetrators. The focus should be on brain centered rehabilitation. The author believes in determinism but is uncomfortable with the individual and community impact of any doctrine denying a free will concept.
*The strength of the scientific support for the argument that man cannot override the brain, etc., varies greatly among the sins. Seemingly, the extreme sin behavior results from brain disease, brain injury, genetic irregularities, and experience/environmental impact on the brain and genetics.
*The strength of the scientific support for the argument that man cannot override the brain, etc., varies greatly among the sins. Seemingly, the extreme sin behavior results from brain disease, brain injury, genetic irregularities, and experience/environmental impact on the brain and genetics.
December 21, 2024
Really great review of the neuro and psychological science behind our ”seven deadly sins”
February 17, 2025
In an attempt to merge morality and biology, Seven Deadly Sins woefully misses the mark and ends up being contrived and undeveloped. So, you've got the seven deadly sins: pride, lust, sloth, gluttony, wrath, greed, envy, and a bonus chapter on free will. This could have been interesting and unique but instead, the author relies on extreme cases as points of rationalization. There were times Leschziner strayed drastically from the biological to the philosophical. There was not enough science, but an abundance of theology and philosophy, for a book with the word biology in the subtitle. The patient anecdotes were astounding, extreme, and consumed some of the chapters. It felt more like a group of peculiar case studies than a cohesive book. This book had potential but ultimately, a lackluster read.
April 30, 2025
An interesting exploration of the intersection between free-will and brain function/injury with respect to moral decision and the social conventions/limits governed by such. Organized into a chapter for each of the “standard” cardinal sins, the author introduces a medical case study that seems to highlight how the brain controls our ability to conform or not to the social prohibition defined by each sin … and, although it is a strength for some examples, does highlight the contributions made by trauma or injury to various regions of the brain. The author provides remarkable insights from his own medical practice along with some supporting research for each of his points … which was interesting from a scientific point of view, but generally much less helpful from a theological point of view. Still, the material was clear and well organized, making it an easy and accessible read.
The chapters and sections in this work are …
Introduction
1. Wrath
2. Gluttony
3. Lust
4. Envy
5. Sloth
6. Greed
7. Pride
8. Free Will
Glossary
Some of the other points that really got my attention (regardless of whether or not I agreed with them) are:
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SevenDeadlySins #NetGalley.
The chapters and sections in this work are …
Introduction
1. Wrath
2. Gluttony
3. Lust
4. Envy
5. Sloth
6. Greed
7. Pride
8. Free Will
Glossary
Some of the other points that really got my attention (regardless of whether or not I agreed with them) are:
I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#SevenDeadlySins #NetGalley.
March 13, 2025
This book was absolutely fascinating! I love how Dr. Guy Leschziner takes the seven deadly sins and then takes research into neurology and human behaviour to find biological functions that meet or create a use for these sins for humanity to survive.
This book had me thinking this book had me questioning - neuroscience and psychology have never been as relatable and linked to behavior, as well as this in my opinion.
I personally am not a scientist and neither fields are my specialty, but this book was easy to listen to and very captivating.
Dr. Guy Leschziner himself does an excellent job narrating his own book. His reading is very relatable and he does a good job connect connecting to the reader.
This was an excellent audiobook. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a interest in in the connections between human behaviour and the seven deadly sins.
This book had me thinking this book had me questioning - neuroscience and psychology have never been as relatable and linked to behavior, as well as this in my opinion.
I personally am not a scientist and neither fields are my specialty, but this book was easy to listen to and very captivating.
Dr. Guy Leschziner himself does an excellent job narrating his own book. His reading is very relatable and he does a good job connect connecting to the reader.
This was an excellent audiobook. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a interest in in the connections between human behaviour and the seven deadly sins.
December 20, 2024
via my blog: bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
Reviews have fallen behind, life has been a challenge. My Australian Cattle dog Grady, as of last Wednesday, is suffering sudden paralysis. There are good signs, and he is under the care of a fantastic vet, but my time has been spent on tending to his needs. With that said, prior to this bad turn, I was away for my daughter’s beautiful wedding, a very joyful occasion. Life has been up and down this year, to the very end. On to the review.
Seven Deadly Sins takes the reader through wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, greed and pride looking to challenge our preconceived assumptions about sinners. The book begins with the perfect quote from Immanuel Kant in the introduction; “out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.” How do we judge wrongdoing if it arises from a place of dysfunction or illness within the brain? The author’s family history is filled with violence, horrors beyond comprehension and man’s worst inhumanity to man from concentration camps and extermination on his paternal side and centuries of hatred in Baghdad on his maternal end. Not excusing the horrors, Dr. Guy Leschziner longs to understand “the biology of being human”, learning much from his own clients during years in his clinical practice. Rather than weighing people down with damnation, he thinks of traits not as failings nor inherent evil, but results of disease, injury, a time when the body malfunctions. How do our genes play a role in the decisions we make, or don’t make, too tired or lazy to bother? Is it always a moral issue? Shouldn’t we take biology into account? How much free will does a person have? One particular patient with seizures is left confused and aggressive after he has episodes, even committing violence leading to arrests. Others can suffer psychosis. How does one make a choice “morally” when the brain is disrupting their life? Is what they do a sin? Where does anger come from? Isn’t anger also necessary at times?
Advertisement
Gluttons can have rare genetic disorders, but it can possibly be a social issue too, environmental. Through his patient Alex, Guy sheds light on a diagnosis that makes one question the shame of gluttony, when it truly is out of a person’s control. The relationship between eating and dopamine is something we all experience and can attest to. Why do so many of us face failure in losing weight, struggle monitoring what we put in our mouth? Are we just shameless, fallen or is something bigger, our evolution to blame?
Lust and the uninhibited, even sexual behavior can arise from neurological damage and disease. Urges, why do some people have them and become obsessed? How do we understand such compulsions? Are casual sexual encounters evolutionary, a search for better genes? Could this explain infidelity, something driving us beyond ourselves, something biological? The frontal lobes, as evidenced from studies in patient injuries, seems to be a place where restraint exists. If that reins our desires in, what happens to those who have been damaged there either through injury or disease, people who are hypersexual, sometimes to a criminal degree.
Each sin is shed in a new light through patient accounts, one that hit me was sloth. I think about how illness affects the body’s energy levels, where accomplishing the simplest task can feel like climbing a mountain. How depression exhausts body and mind, I wouldn’t label that a choice, a sin. People can only push through so much. I really enjoy this provocative book, not because I think every “sin” or failure is excusable by saying it’s our genes presiding over us and that we have no free will, but because there are situations that alter our rational mind. There are diseases and injuries that rob us of our free will. I have known people who shame others who are ill as being lazy, usually it’s someone who has an incredible immune system, who berates them with the ‘mind over matter’ mantra. If only it were that easy. Is sickness a character flaw, hardly! Environment plays a role, after covid people learned first hand how lack or support, interaction with others, fresh air can adversely effect one’s mind, sanity. I don’t think we readers will have all the answers in this book, but it certainly challenges our assumptions about good vs evil, life isn’t that clear-cut. In fact, sometimes the drugs that are meant to treat us can cause an array of sinful behaviors, or side effects. Not to say there aren’t bad people who intentionally commit horrific acts, but certainly there can be an explanation sometimes from a neuroscientific basis as to what drives them to do it.
A clever read.
Publication Date: December 3, 2024 Available Now
St. Martin’s Press
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
Reviews have fallen behind, life has been a challenge. My Australian Cattle dog Grady, as of last Wednesday, is suffering sudden paralysis. There are good signs, and he is under the care of a fantastic vet, but my time has been spent on tending to his needs. With that said, prior to this bad turn, I was away for my daughter’s beautiful wedding, a very joyful occasion. Life has been up and down this year, to the very end. On to the review.
Seven Deadly Sins takes the reader through wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, greed and pride looking to challenge our preconceived assumptions about sinners. The book begins with the perfect quote from Immanuel Kant in the introduction; “out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.” How do we judge wrongdoing if it arises from a place of dysfunction or illness within the brain? The author’s family history is filled with violence, horrors beyond comprehension and man’s worst inhumanity to man from concentration camps and extermination on his paternal side and centuries of hatred in Baghdad on his maternal end. Not excusing the horrors, Dr. Guy Leschziner longs to understand “the biology of being human”, learning much from his own clients during years in his clinical practice. Rather than weighing people down with damnation, he thinks of traits not as failings nor inherent evil, but results of disease, injury, a time when the body malfunctions. How do our genes play a role in the decisions we make, or don’t make, too tired or lazy to bother? Is it always a moral issue? Shouldn’t we take biology into account? How much free will does a person have? One particular patient with seizures is left confused and aggressive after he has episodes, even committing violence leading to arrests. Others can suffer psychosis. How does one make a choice “morally” when the brain is disrupting their life? Is what they do a sin? Where does anger come from? Isn’t anger also necessary at times?
Advertisement
Gluttons can have rare genetic disorders, but it can possibly be a social issue too, environmental. Through his patient Alex, Guy sheds light on a diagnosis that makes one question the shame of gluttony, when it truly is out of a person’s control. The relationship between eating and dopamine is something we all experience and can attest to. Why do so many of us face failure in losing weight, struggle monitoring what we put in our mouth? Are we just shameless, fallen or is something bigger, our evolution to blame?
Lust and the uninhibited, even sexual behavior can arise from neurological damage and disease. Urges, why do some people have them and become obsessed? How do we understand such compulsions? Are casual sexual encounters evolutionary, a search for better genes? Could this explain infidelity, something driving us beyond ourselves, something biological? The frontal lobes, as evidenced from studies in patient injuries, seems to be a place where restraint exists. If that reins our desires in, what happens to those who have been damaged there either through injury or disease, people who are hypersexual, sometimes to a criminal degree.
Each sin is shed in a new light through patient accounts, one that hit me was sloth. I think about how illness affects the body’s energy levels, where accomplishing the simplest task can feel like climbing a mountain. How depression exhausts body and mind, I wouldn’t label that a choice, a sin. People can only push through so much. I really enjoy this provocative book, not because I think every “sin” or failure is excusable by saying it’s our genes presiding over us and that we have no free will, but because there are situations that alter our rational mind. There are diseases and injuries that rob us of our free will. I have known people who shame others who are ill as being lazy, usually it’s someone who has an incredible immune system, who berates them with the ‘mind over matter’ mantra. If only it were that easy. Is sickness a character flaw, hardly! Environment plays a role, after covid people learned first hand how lack or support, interaction with others, fresh air can adversely effect one’s mind, sanity. I don’t think we readers will have all the answers in this book, but it certainly challenges our assumptions about good vs evil, life isn’t that clear-cut. In fact, sometimes the drugs that are meant to treat us can cause an array of sinful behaviors, or side effects. Not to say there aren’t bad people who intentionally commit horrific acts, but certainly there can be an explanation sometimes from a neuroscientific basis as to what drives them to do it.
A clever read.
Publication Date: December 3, 2024 Available Now
St. Martin’s Press
November 14, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book of medical investigation into the neurological and biological reasons that might have given rise to the idea of deadly sins, what it tells us about humans, and what it means for many of our actions.
I guess I should say that I learned about the seven deadly sins in the CCD classes that Catholic boys and girls have to attend for religious instruction. As I never paid any attention in class, thinking more of the checks I would get for confirmation and other things, I am sure it was not there. I would assume it was in the Deadly Sins series my Grandfather used to read by Lawrence Sanders, who was the James Patterson of the seventies and eighties. Pride, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Wraith, Gluttony and Greed have been used in many books, movies and albums, to stop temptation or to lead one deeper in. Even the Big Red Cheese, Shazam, or Captain Marvel, or whatever he is called now, used the deadly sins to show how great a hero Shazam was. They have become so much of a trope that in many ways they have become accepted. Greed is good. Keeping up with the Joneses. Dr. Guy Leschziner in his book Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human looks at a variety of neurological and biological reasons that might have given rise to the idea of these sins, how they destroy lives and families, and how their legacy continues to this day.
The book starts with a brief history of the idea of seven sins, the theological impact and how it has been brought into teaching and learning. Readers are also give a biographical sketch of the author, his years of experience dealing with patients of all kinds, from war zones, to refugees and more, and how the sins that are discussed are responsible for many of the situations these patients are dealing with. Using his own family Dr. Leschziner discusses how his grandfather's experiences in the Holocaust, seeing the worst sins that humans could do to others, is still something his family, generations later are still dealing with. From there the author discusses the ideas of the sins, and different patients, that are suffering neurological and psychological problems similar to what the sins are. A patient with epilepsy finds a medicine that cures his seizures, but gives him periods of massive almost Hulk-like rage. A wounded soldier with a brain injury finds himself talking about women nonstop, and what he thinks of them. The need for some people to buy to excess, and never be happy, always feeling less but wanting more.
Not the book that I expected, but something far more. Though reading about a lot of these people, especially the ones who were trying to get better was sad, and maddening. I can't imagine finding a cure to one symptom, but to find that the cure makes one rage at friends and co-workers. Also the stories about gluttony, the never ending need to eat, to be full that never comes, while eating horrible things, and destroying one's health. Dr. Leschziner is a very good writer and an empathetic one, making the reader feel things for these patients, even the one's that don't deserve much. Also Dr. Leschziner has a chapter on free will, that is a well reasoned argument about how much can one claim that they are sick, and still carry on destructive behaviors, to themselves and others. One of my favorite sections in the book.
A book that fans of Dr. Leschziner's previous books will enjoy, and one that asks a lot of questions and makes readers think. And more importantly feel for people. Which is something that is in short supply. A unique and different read.
I guess I should say that I learned about the seven deadly sins in the CCD classes that Catholic boys and girls have to attend for religious instruction. As I never paid any attention in class, thinking more of the checks I would get for confirmation and other things, I am sure it was not there. I would assume it was in the Deadly Sins series my Grandfather used to read by Lawrence Sanders, who was the James Patterson of the seventies and eighties. Pride, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Wraith, Gluttony and Greed have been used in many books, movies and albums, to stop temptation or to lead one deeper in. Even the Big Red Cheese, Shazam, or Captain Marvel, or whatever he is called now, used the deadly sins to show how great a hero Shazam was. They have become so much of a trope that in many ways they have become accepted. Greed is good. Keeping up with the Joneses. Dr. Guy Leschziner in his book Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human looks at a variety of neurological and biological reasons that might have given rise to the idea of these sins, how they destroy lives and families, and how their legacy continues to this day.
The book starts with a brief history of the idea of seven sins, the theological impact and how it has been brought into teaching and learning. Readers are also give a biographical sketch of the author, his years of experience dealing with patients of all kinds, from war zones, to refugees and more, and how the sins that are discussed are responsible for many of the situations these patients are dealing with. Using his own family Dr. Leschziner discusses how his grandfather's experiences in the Holocaust, seeing the worst sins that humans could do to others, is still something his family, generations later are still dealing with. From there the author discusses the ideas of the sins, and different patients, that are suffering neurological and psychological problems similar to what the sins are. A patient with epilepsy finds a medicine that cures his seizures, but gives him periods of massive almost Hulk-like rage. A wounded soldier with a brain injury finds himself talking about women nonstop, and what he thinks of them. The need for some people to buy to excess, and never be happy, always feeling less but wanting more.
Not the book that I expected, but something far more. Though reading about a lot of these people, especially the ones who were trying to get better was sad, and maddening. I can't imagine finding a cure to one symptom, but to find that the cure makes one rage at friends and co-workers. Also the stories about gluttony, the never ending need to eat, to be full that never comes, while eating horrible things, and destroying one's health. Dr. Leschziner is a very good writer and an empathetic one, making the reader feel things for these patients, even the one's that don't deserve much. Also Dr. Leschziner has a chapter on free will, that is a well reasoned argument about how much can one claim that they are sick, and still carry on destructive behaviors, to themselves and others. One of my favorite sections in the book.
A book that fans of Dr. Leschziner's previous books will enjoy, and one that asks a lot of questions and makes readers think. And more importantly feel for people. Which is something that is in short supply. A unique and different read.
November 6, 2025
This book imparts the same lessons as this one that I read a few months before and just received a literary prize in UK: Our Brains, Our Selves. The lessons are that our being and behaviour are only faintly dependent on our own will as we have very little free will and it is sensible for us to be aware that our life quality depends on the health of our brain to a very significant degree. Healthy lifestyle is crucial.
While reading about these "sins", it somehow reminds me of D.J. Trump and too many of his cronies. And no doctors ever tell these people to have their brains checked! When you have ill brains, you cause misery to yourselves and so many people with abandon!
This book and the one I mentioned above and others of this type leave me thinking there should be more brain health tests to be included in hospitals and any related institutions - such as courts of law. Ailment of the brain is invisible to any of our senses and we need to be aware more about this fact and governments of the world should support the mental health circle to do more about raising wider awareness on brain health and how medicine can do more to address brain health promotion (especially among politicians and civil servants).
More good books along this line are ones by David Eagleman: The Brain: The Story of You (there is a good TV documentary series based on this book, too), Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain and Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain.
While reading about these "sins", it somehow reminds me of D.J. Trump and too many of his cronies. And no doctors ever tell these people to have their brains checked! When you have ill brains, you cause misery to yourselves and so many people with abandon!
This book and the one I mentioned above and others of this type leave me thinking there should be more brain health tests to be included in hospitals and any related institutions - such as courts of law. Ailment of the brain is invisible to any of our senses and we need to be aware more about this fact and governments of the world should support the mental health circle to do more about raising wider awareness on brain health and how medicine can do more to address brain health promotion (especially among politicians and civil servants).
More good books along this line are ones by David Eagleman: The Brain: The Story of You (there is a good TV documentary series based on this book, too), Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain and Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain.
May 23, 2025
The root of all evil is a tree of seven branches: gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and anger - the Seven Deadly Sins. Planted in myth and bronzed in theology and classics alongside their foils, the Seven Cardinal Virtues, these subjective pillars have been used to guide morality across the ages, offering people a pathway for choices and a framework for reward and punishment. Beyond questions of morality, author Guy Leschziner asks the reader to question whether these "sins" and merely represent important and useful human functions that have served a useful purpose in the story of human development. Drawing on modern research, patient anecdotes, and historical observations, "Seven Deadly Sins" examines the underlying nature of the Seven Deadly Sins, their neuroscientific and psychological basis, their origin in our genes, and, crucially, how certain medical disorders may give rise to them.
This was a really interesting premise for a popular science book, pulling on a broad reach of topics to answer what I feel is an incredibly philosophical question of morality vs necessity, and ultimately where the "blame" for why we sometimes act in 'sinful' ways lies. I thought the audiobook version of this journey into the neuropsychological was introspective - I could almost imagine walking with the author through a museum exhibit as he moves through each of the sins, telling a story about a patient, talking about some historical developments and experiments, and offering his own commentary on how each "sin" developed both in the context of normal evolution and for the basis of neurological disorders. I think this book did a lot of toe-dipping in the sense that we get a really broad introduction to a lot of disorders and ideas, and I definitely have a lot more rabbit holes to explore, and thus would recommend this book more as a jumping-off point for those interested in the medical cases presented. While I maybe have some questions about the authors musings on "blame" and the more moral side of some of the conditions related to the "sins" in this book, it left a lot of food for thought and was overall an enjoyable listen.
This was a really interesting premise for a popular science book, pulling on a broad reach of topics to answer what I feel is an incredibly philosophical question of morality vs necessity, and ultimately where the "blame" for why we sometimes act in 'sinful' ways lies. I thought the audiobook version of this journey into the neuropsychological was introspective - I could almost imagine walking with the author through a museum exhibit as he moves through each of the sins, telling a story about a patient, talking about some historical developments and experiments, and offering his own commentary on how each "sin" developed both in the context of normal evolution and for the basis of neurological disorders. I think this book did a lot of toe-dipping in the sense that we get a really broad introduction to a lot of disorders and ideas, and I definitely have a lot more rabbit holes to explore, and thus would recommend this book more as a jumping-off point for those interested in the medical cases presented. While I maybe have some questions about the authors musings on "blame" and the more moral side of some of the conditions related to the "sins" in this book, it left a lot of food for thought and was overall an enjoyable listen.
December 30, 2024
Here is a timeless guide to what not to do if you want to avoid eternal damnation or, at the very least, judgmental side-eye from strangers. But what if, instead of being moral failings, these sins are just your brain doing its thing? Enter Seven Deadly Sins, a book that basically says, “Hey, maybe gluttony isn’t your fault—it’s neuroscience!”
This book dives deep—like, neuroscience-deep—into why we humans are walking, talking bundles of gluttony, envy, and rage. From ancient myths to early Christianity, it traces how these seven sins became the poster children for human immorality. But instead of wagging its finger at you, it shrugs and says, “Hey, maybe these sins aren’t moral failings; maybe they’re just biology being biology.”
The anecdotes are fascinating. You’ll meet real-life folks with brain injuries or psychological conditions that make their behavior scream “deadly sin.” It’s like a true crime show, but instead of solving murders, it’s solving why your coworker is so greedy at the snack table. Bonus points for making you question everything about free will and personal responsibility.
However, fair warning: this book occasionally strays into “let me explain neuroscience to you for 20 pages straight” territory. If you’re not a fan of brain anatomy lessons, you might find yourself skimming, muttering, “Yeah, yeah, I get it—neurons are complicated.”
Still, the premise is refreshingly guilt-free. Who wouldn’t want a book that says, “You’re not lazy; your brain just prioritizes survival over cleaning your house”? It’s like the ultimate self-help book, but instead of telling you to fix your flaws, it hands you a hall pass and says, “Go ahead, eat that second cupcake. It’s science.”
Final verdict? Seven Deadly Sins is thought-provoking and packed with fascinating insights, but it’s also a little too eager to excuse human behavior as biology's fault. A solid three stars for the interesting science, the occasional chuckle, and the sheer audacity of turning eternal damnation into a biological quirk.
This book dives deep—like, neuroscience-deep—into why we humans are walking, talking bundles of gluttony, envy, and rage. From ancient myths to early Christianity, it traces how these seven sins became the poster children for human immorality. But instead of wagging its finger at you, it shrugs and says, “Hey, maybe these sins aren’t moral failings; maybe they’re just biology being biology.”
The anecdotes are fascinating. You’ll meet real-life folks with brain injuries or psychological conditions that make their behavior scream “deadly sin.” It’s like a true crime show, but instead of solving murders, it’s solving why your coworker is so greedy at the snack table. Bonus points for making you question everything about free will and personal responsibility.
However, fair warning: this book occasionally strays into “let me explain neuroscience to you for 20 pages straight” territory. If you’re not a fan of brain anatomy lessons, you might find yourself skimming, muttering, “Yeah, yeah, I get it—neurons are complicated.”
Still, the premise is refreshingly guilt-free. Who wouldn’t want a book that says, “You’re not lazy; your brain just prioritizes survival over cleaning your house”? It’s like the ultimate self-help book, but instead of telling you to fix your flaws, it hands you a hall pass and says, “Go ahead, eat that second cupcake. It’s science.”
Final verdict? Seven Deadly Sins is thought-provoking and packed with fascinating insights, but it’s also a little too eager to excuse human behavior as biology's fault. A solid three stars for the interesting science, the occasional chuckle, and the sheer audacity of turning eternal damnation into a biological quirk.
July 22, 2024
Seven Deadly Sins is both original and quite interesting. Guy Leschziner looks at the seven deadly sins (wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth, greed, and pride) from a biological point. He considers genetics, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and pathology to explain how and why humans may do things that are cruel, or behave in a greedy or lazy way. Each sin is dealt with in its own chapter, and the author presents case studies with rare genetic diseases and illnesses that illustrate and cause the patient to act in a "sinful" manner. Some chapters offer fewer biological reasons for sins, like lust and envy, but even those provide curious and intriguing facts. I will be looking at people's index and ring fingers to judge how much fetal exposure to testosterone they had in utero, beginning with my two sons. Lest you think the author is trying to excuse the sins of the Holocaust or genocide and wars that have arisen throughout history due to wrath and greed, he has also written a chapter on free will and its importance. The glossary at the end of this book is especially helpful for those of us who have forgotten the structures and areas of the brain that we may have learned 45 years ago. This book can help us begin to understand how and why we humans act as we do and the ways biology may play a part in our actions. Four and a half stars rounded up.
I hope Mr. Leschziner's next book is about the Seven Cardinal Virtues, but until then I will be reading another one of his books, The Man Who Tasted Words, an exploration of our senses and how the brain understands and/or misunderstands the world around us.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on December 3, 2024.
I hope Mr. Leschziner's next book is about the Seven Cardinal Virtues, but until then I will be reading another one of his books, The Man Who Tasted Words, an exploration of our senses and how the brain understands and/or misunderstands the world around us.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on December 3, 2024.
September 14, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between neuroscience, psychology, and morality. In this thought-provoking book, Leschziner delves into the biological underpinnings of the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—challenging our traditional views on these age-old concepts.
Leschziner, a professor of neurology, brings a unique perspective to the table, examining how these so-called sins are not merely moral failings but are deeply rooted in our biology and genetics. He provides compelling evidence on how certain medical conditions and neurological disorders can manifest behaviors that society often labels as sinful. This approach not only humanizes these behaviors but also encourages a more empathetic understanding of human nature.
The book is structured in a way that each sin is given its own chapter, allowing for an in-depth analysis of its origins, manifestations, and implications. Leschziner’s writing is both accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. His use of real-life case studies adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to the narrative, making the science come alive.
For readers interested in the intersection of science and morality, Seven Deadly Sins offers a fresh and enlightening perspective. Dr. Guy Leschziner’s work is a testament to the complexity of human behavior and the intricate ways in which our biology influences our actions. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of what it means to be human.
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Dr. Guy Leschziner is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between neuroscience, psychology, and morality. In this thought-provoking book, Leschziner delves into the biological underpinnings of the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—challenging our traditional views on these age-old concepts.
Leschziner, a professor of neurology, brings a unique perspective to the table, examining how these so-called sins are not merely moral failings but are deeply rooted in our biology and genetics. He provides compelling evidence on how certain medical conditions and neurological disorders can manifest behaviors that society often labels as sinful. This approach not only humanizes these behaviors but also encourages a more empathetic understanding of human nature.
The book is structured in a way that each sin is given its own chapter, allowing for an in-depth analysis of its origins, manifestations, and implications. Leschziner’s writing is both accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. His use of real-life case studies adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to the narrative, making the science come alive.
For readers interested in the intersection of science and morality, Seven Deadly Sins offers a fresh and enlightening perspective. Dr. Guy Leschziner’s work is a testament to the complexity of human behavior and the intricate ways in which our biology influences our actions. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of what it means to be human.
January 29, 2025
As someone who married into a religious family from a very pro-science, non-religious family I as immediately drawn to the concept of exploring the background of the Seven Deadly Sins from a biological/neurological viewpoint. I have always found it interesting that the acceptance of any "sin" within the community is usually held to a different standard than those outside of the religious community - as in one has control and is actively sinning and the other does not because "we all sin". I have always firmly held the belief that most of the sins that are demonized in Abrahamic religions are all based in neuroscience and psychology and love the fact that there is finally a book out there addressing those very points I have been making to family for the past two decades.
Broken up into chapters highlighting each of the classic seven sins, the author focuses both on psychological case studies to show real world examples of what some would define as "sloth", "lust", "gluttony", etc and the biological or neurological basis behind those diagnoses. For some it is well documented cases of genetic mutations that cause someone to overeat - when the brain and body never feel "full". Other times, it proves that many of the conditions are in fact psychological illnesses or triggered by medications or environmental trauma.
Exceptionally well written and because of the case studies, it helps explain and break up the scientific jargon so the reading is smooth for your average to above average reader. Each of the "sins" is looked at from an unbiased nature and does not preach good or bad regarding any of the cases, but merely lays out the facts.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in neuroscience or anyone who leans more towards sciences with a religious background.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dr. Guy Leschziner, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
Broken up into chapters highlighting each of the classic seven sins, the author focuses both on psychological case studies to show real world examples of what some would define as "sloth", "lust", "gluttony", etc and the biological or neurological basis behind those diagnoses. For some it is well documented cases of genetic mutations that cause someone to overeat - when the brain and body never feel "full". Other times, it proves that many of the conditions are in fact psychological illnesses or triggered by medications or environmental trauma.
Exceptionally well written and because of the case studies, it helps explain and break up the scientific jargon so the reading is smooth for your average to above average reader. Each of the "sins" is looked at from an unbiased nature and does not preach good or bad regarding any of the cases, but merely lays out the facts.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in neuroscience or anyone who leans more towards sciences with a religious background.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dr. Guy Leschziner, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2024
Guy Leschziner’s previous book, The Man Who Tasted Words, was one of the reasons I decided to study neuroscience properly. He explains in a clear and entertaining way how our brains cause us to perceive the world we way we do, and how they affect our actions.
In this book, he looks at the Seven Deadly Sins - gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust and anger - and asks whether there’s a physical cause for these behaviors. And indeed, there is. Damage to the brain, disruption to the electrical patterns in our neurons, medication or drugs, genetic abnormalities, disease, and trauma can all cause us to behave in ways that are regarded as bad (or, if you believe in such things, sinful). And, significantly, most of the time, we know they’re wrong, but we do them anyway out of compulsion.
Leschziner presents case studies for every one of the sins, showing how a “normal” person can suddenly find their personality utterly distorted for reasons completely outside their control. Peaceable people can become terrifyingly angry. Energetic people can become slothful and apathetic. Love can turn to pathological jealousy. And in each case, Leschziner identifies a neurological cause. As he says, psychosomatic doesn’t mean it’s not real - it means that our brains have an a literal, physical effect on our bodies.
This, of course, raises the uncomfortable question of free will. Are we responsible for what we do? Can we excuse monstrous behavior by saying “my brain made me do it?” Where’s the line between diminished responsibility and dangerous insanity?
I’ll be thinking about this book for weeks or months, perhaps years.
In this book, he looks at the Seven Deadly Sins - gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust and anger - and asks whether there’s a physical cause for these behaviors. And indeed, there is. Damage to the brain, disruption to the electrical patterns in our neurons, medication or drugs, genetic abnormalities, disease, and trauma can all cause us to behave in ways that are regarded as bad (or, if you believe in such things, sinful). And, significantly, most of the time, we know they’re wrong, but we do them anyway out of compulsion.
Leschziner presents case studies for every one of the sins, showing how a “normal” person can suddenly find their personality utterly distorted for reasons completely outside their control. Peaceable people can become terrifyingly angry. Energetic people can become slothful and apathetic. Love can turn to pathological jealousy. And in each case, Leschziner identifies a neurological cause. As he says, psychosomatic doesn’t mean it’s not real - it means that our brains have an a literal, physical effect on our bodies.
This, of course, raises the uncomfortable question of free will. Are we responsible for what we do? Can we excuse monstrous behavior by saying “my brain made me do it?” Where’s the line between diminished responsibility and dangerous insanity?
I’ll be thinking about this book for weeks or months, perhaps years.
August 8, 2025
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human by Guy Leschziner is a smart, provocative and deeply human exploration of how the so-called “sins” — wrath, lust, envy, gluttony, pride, greed, and sloth — are not just moral failings, but may have biological roots in our brains, genes, and environment.
Leschziner uses gripping neurological case studies to show how damage or dysfunction in specific brain areas can give rise to behaviors society labels as sinful: a man becomes impulsive after a brain bleed, a woman never feels full, another grows sexually obsessed due to Parkinson’s. These stories challenge the boundary between moral responsibility and biology.
He divides the sins into two categories — behavioral (e.g. wrath, greed) and emotional (e.g. pride, envy) — and asks a key question: Are we truly free to choose our actions, or are we driven by neural wiring and inherited impulses? If the brain governs our decisions, how much of our “sinful” behavior is even under our control?
Still, the book doesn’t excuse wrongdoing. Rather, it encourages us to view human behavior with more compassion and complexity. Understanding the science behind our darker impulses helps us rethink morality, responsibility, and how we judge others.
Balanced, insightful, and filled with both scientific detail and empathy, this book reframes sin not as a purely spiritual flaw — but as a deeply human condition.
Leschziner uses gripping neurological case studies to show how damage or dysfunction in specific brain areas can give rise to behaviors society labels as sinful: a man becomes impulsive after a brain bleed, a woman never feels full, another grows sexually obsessed due to Parkinson’s. These stories challenge the boundary between moral responsibility and biology.
He divides the sins into two categories — behavioral (e.g. wrath, greed) and emotional (e.g. pride, envy) — and asks a key question: Are we truly free to choose our actions, or are we driven by neural wiring and inherited impulses? If the brain governs our decisions, how much of our “sinful” behavior is even under our control?
Still, the book doesn’t excuse wrongdoing. Rather, it encourages us to view human behavior with more compassion and complexity. Understanding the science behind our darker impulses helps us rethink morality, responsibility, and how we judge others.
Balanced, insightful, and filled with both scientific detail and empathy, this book reframes sin not as a purely spiritual flaw — but as a deeply human condition.
November 25, 2024
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ARC of
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Non-fiction isn't my go to genre but I devoured this audio book within a day! Dr Guy Leschziner walks through real life examples of his patients, correlations to the deadly sins, and explanations on how DNA / Brain Trauma shapes our behaviors.
Each chapter represents a different deadly sin with several patient stories. My favorite chapters were wrath, gluttony, lust, and pride.
In wrath, one of the examples Dr. Leschziner covers how much testosterone an embryo is exposed to in the womb can help predict how an individual processes and responds to anger. (There's also a coloration of the size of your index vs ring finger to determine testosterone exposure).
Gluttony there is a story of a patient whose DNA strain causes her brain not to recognize satiety which ultimately leads to her death.
One story we follow in lust shows a soldier with brain trauma to the hypothalamus and how it influenced his sexual appetites.
The audiobook started off a little monotone but once we got past the introduction chapters I was locked in! I would recommend this to anyone who loves psychology and the age old question, nature vs nurture?
Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Non-fiction isn't my go to genre but I devoured this audio book within a day! Dr Guy Leschziner walks through real life examples of his patients, correlations to the deadly sins, and explanations on how DNA / Brain Trauma shapes our behaviors.
Each chapter represents a different deadly sin with several patient stories. My favorite chapters were wrath, gluttony, lust, and pride.
In wrath, one of the examples Dr. Leschziner covers how much testosterone an embryo is exposed to in the womb can help predict how an individual processes and responds to anger. (There's also a coloration of the size of your index vs ring finger to determine testosterone exposure).
Gluttony there is a story of a patient whose DNA strain causes her brain not to recognize satiety which ultimately leads to her death.
One story we follow in lust shows a soldier with brain trauma to the hypothalamus and how it influenced his sexual appetites.
The audiobook started off a little monotone but once we got past the introduction chapters I was locked in! I would recommend this to anyone who loves psychology and the age old question, nature vs nurture?
November 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Seven Deadly Sin: The Biology of Being Human presents medical cases where physical or psychological injuries/ disorders gives rise to baser actions which fall into the seven Deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and anger.
Each chapter is dedicated to one of the seven sins and includes several case studies of persons who embody that sin following a change in their psyche.
It was an incredibly insightful read to how amazing and fragile our brains are. I'm not sure I was able to fully appreciate it, but as a causal reader I can say I really enjoyed it.
If human behaviour and psychology is your jam this is worth picking up, and if it's not your jam it still makes for an interesting read.
Thank you to Dr. Guy Leschziner, St.Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Disclaimer: I got this advance copy for free but I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Seven Deadly Sin: The Biology of Being Human presents medical cases where physical or psychological injuries/ disorders gives rise to baser actions which fall into the seven Deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, envy, lust, and anger.
Each chapter is dedicated to one of the seven sins and includes several case studies of persons who embody that sin following a change in their psyche.
It was an incredibly insightful read to how amazing and fragile our brains are. I'm not sure I was able to fully appreciate it, but as a causal reader I can say I really enjoyed it.
If human behaviour and psychology is your jam this is worth picking up, and if it's not your jam it still makes for an interesting read.
Thank you to Dr. Guy Leschziner, St.Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Disclaimer: I got this advance copy for free but I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
December 2, 2024
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but it was intriguing and informative. The author explains physiology, pathology, evolution, and disease influences on exhibiting the behaviors defined as the seven deadly sins. I learned quite a bit about how one's behavior can be influenced by a wide range of things beyond nature vs. nurture. Certainly the influences of legal and illegal drugs affect behavior in a myriad of ways. And, of course he never denies that humans have free will and have some control over some behaviors, but obvioiusly not all aspects. This text adds quite a bit of complexity to explanations of human behavior for those who are not professionals in evaluating the behavior of others. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore the causes of human behavior beyond the parameters that most layman use. My sincere thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the ARC of this text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews