Man, Beast, and Zombie: What Science Can and Cannot Tell Us about Human Nature

by Kenan Malik

Are humans unique? Can animals think as we do? Will machines ever be conscious? What is free will? For centuries, attempts to answer these questions have been the stuff of theological and philosophical dispute, as well as bar-room debate. Now scientists claim they can solve these riddles of human existence, once and for all. Man, Beast and Zombie is a thrillingly original and accessible book. Huge in its reach and powerful in its grasp, it draws on cutting-edge sciences such as evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology and Artificial Intelligence to assess what, precisely, they can and cannot explain about human nature. Kenan Malik explains the histories of these sciences and the philosophies that underpin them and analyses the complex relationship between human beings, animals and machines to explore what really makes us human.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Nonfiction, Anthropology

458 pages, Hardcover

First published July 12, 1996

About the author

Indian-born British writer, lecturer and broadcaster, trained in neurobiology and the history of science. As an academic author, his focus is on the philosophy of biology, and contemporary theories of multiculturalism, pluralism and race. These topics are core concerns in The Meaning of Race (1996), Man, Beast and Zombie (2000) and Strange Fruit: Why Both Sides Are Wrong in the Race Debate (2008).

Malik's work contains a forthright defence of the values of the 18th-century Enlightenment, which he sees as having been distorted and misunderstood in more recent political and scientific thought. He was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize in 2010

Reviews

[Geordie · Rating 4 out of 5]

extremely useful for distinguishing between zombies and non-zombies although a spotting scope might help too you never know - warning: if you are a Smurf and not a human this book is not for you, and you will find it very confusing. Stop and read the companion study "Smurf, Beast, and Zombie" instead which will make oodles more sense

[Vanessa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thick sociology and philosophy book really easy to read and very well structured. The author created beautiful links between different theories ans school of thoughts. You leave the book feeling you have understood some really profound theories around human nature, how we think, artificial intelligence. Highly recommended.

[Leo Ratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Konkret, intellektuell ehrlich und unkonventionell spannend!!!

[Pippa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author had very little analytical ability and I found the book very disappointing. :(

[Martin Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

well presented arguments, a comprehensive account of the historical inquiry and opinions on the subject and a balanced view of the issues involved make this an accessible guide to the way forward in these uncertain times. Enlightened view of a possible future for human societies where the freedoms of human individuals are reliant of choices made by individuals and their capacity to understand the responsibilities of consequences of the choices made. the balance and correct application of methods of inquiry for the differing fields of science is an important point and is well supported by erudite and cohesive arguments