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Robert Ardrey's Nature of Man #2
The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry Into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations
With African Genesis, Mr. Ardrey stirred up enough storm to last an author, one would think, for a lifetime. In The Territorial Imperative, however, he explores more deeply and incisively man's evolutionary nature and threatens even more forcefully some of our most precious assumptions. In a time when we attribute to man either no instincts at all, or instincts too weak to be of significance, Mr. Ardrey's conclusions concerning the instinctual force exerted on human life by territory will undoubtedly raise an even greater storm.
Like its predecessor, The Territorial Imperative is a work of wit, of literary wealth, of high adventure. Again the author draws on his inexhaustible knowledge of animal ways, and again his wife presents her intriguing sketches of animal life. But this time, Mr. Ardrey takes his listeners on far deeper excursions into the ancient animal world, and on far deeper penetrations of the contemporary human wilderness.
While evolutionary science has advanced markedly since Ardrey's times, his insights on human behavior have a timeless quality, and The Territorial Imperative remains a classic reference for anyone wishing to begin an adventure exploring life's biggest questions.
Like its predecessor, The Territorial Imperative is a work of wit, of literary wealth, of high adventure. Again the author draws on his inexhaustible knowledge of animal ways, and again his wife presents her intriguing sketches of animal life. But this time, Mr. Ardrey takes his listeners on far deeper excursions into the ancient animal world, and on far deeper penetrations of the contemporary human wilderness.
While evolutionary science has advanced markedly since Ardrey's times, his insights on human behavior have a timeless quality, and The Territorial Imperative remains a classic reference for anyone wishing to begin an adventure exploring life's biggest questions.
388 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1966
38 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ardrey
76 books40 followersRobert Ardrey was born in the South Side of Chicago in 1908. He attended the University of Chicago to study biology, but became the writing protegé of Thornton Wilder. He graduated in the midst of the Great Depression and supported himself with odd jobs while he wrote under Wilder's watchful eye. His first play, Star Spangled, opened on Broadway in 1935.
He continued to have plays produced on Broadway. His most famous, Thunder Rock, became a sensation in wartime London, and is now regarded as an international classic. Ardrey's plays caught the attention of MGM executive Samuel Goldwyn; in 1938 Ardrey moved to Hollywood, where he would become MGM's highest paid writer. He is credited with over a dozen films, including The Three Musketeers (1948, with Gene Kelly), The Wonderful Country (1959, with Robert Mitchum), and Khartoum (1966, directed by Basil Dearden, starring Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier) for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
In the 1950s, increasingly disenchanted with Hollywood, Ardrey travelled to Africa to write a series of articles. This trip renewed his interest in human origins, and he returned to his academic training in the sciences. In 1956 he moved with his wife and two sons to Geneva, and spent the next five years travelling and researching in Eastern and Southern Africa, conducting research for what would become his first scientific work, African Genesis (1961).
African Genesis and Ardrey's subsequent books were massively popular and deeply controversial. They overturned core assumptions of the social sciences and led to a revolution in thinking about human nature. Fundamentally Ardrey argued that human behavior was not entirely socially determined, rather evolutionarily inherited instincts help determine behavior and format large-scale social phenomena. Subsequent science has largely vindicated his hypotheses.
Robert Ardrey is the winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the inaugural Sidney Howard Memorial Award, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and received an Academy Award Nomination for best screenplay for his film Khartoum. Time magazine named African Genesis the most notable book of the 1960s.
For more see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
He continued to have plays produced on Broadway. His most famous, Thunder Rock, became a sensation in wartime London, and is now regarded as an international classic. Ardrey's plays caught the attention of MGM executive Samuel Goldwyn; in 1938 Ardrey moved to Hollywood, where he would become MGM's highest paid writer. He is credited with over a dozen films, including The Three Musketeers (1948, with Gene Kelly), The Wonderful Country (1959, with Robert Mitchum), and Khartoum (1966, directed by Basil Dearden, starring Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier) for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
In the 1950s, increasingly disenchanted with Hollywood, Ardrey travelled to Africa to write a series of articles. This trip renewed his interest in human origins, and he returned to his academic training in the sciences. In 1956 he moved with his wife and two sons to Geneva, and spent the next five years travelling and researching in Eastern and Southern Africa, conducting research for what would become his first scientific work, African Genesis (1961).
African Genesis and Ardrey's subsequent books were massively popular and deeply controversial. They overturned core assumptions of the social sciences and led to a revolution in thinking about human nature. Fundamentally Ardrey argued that human behavior was not entirely socially determined, rather evolutionarily inherited instincts help determine behavior and format large-scale social phenomena. Subsequent science has largely vindicated his hypotheses.
Robert Ardrey is the winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the inaugural Sidney Howard Memorial Award, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and received an Academy Award Nomination for best screenplay for his film Khartoum. Time magazine named African Genesis the most notable book of the 1960s.
For more see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 15, 2015
I never thought I'd find myself reading sociocultural anthropology, but this author has a way with words that totally floats my boat. It's not the newest science (it was written in the 1960's), but it wasn't taught to me in school and it's good to finally get confirmation of what you've always felt in your heart to be true.
.“The dog barking at you from behind his master's fence acts for a motive indistinguishable from that of his master when the fence was built.”
.“The dog barking at you from behind his master's fence acts for a motive indistinguishable from that of his master when the fence was built.”
November 12, 2019
Large parts are outdated, yet well-written. Any book containing the trueism "The Italian, most remarkable of men, has demonstrated with his society of inward antagonism that it is possible to survive with a miraculous minimum of social trust, personal honesty, concerted action and effective sympathy" is worth reading.*
The book is well worth reading especially for its outdated parts. The idea the Chimpanzee society is the only one characterised by goodness and that there is no interpersonal violence now strikes us as very absurd. This and other examples Ardrey cites illustrate just how much the then young science of ethology has contributed to our knowledge.
The attempts to apply his ideas to the modern political situation in Israel and South Africa are interesting. Sometimes his ideas have proven to be mistaken, but some of his points unfortunately still have a ring of truth to it.
All in all a fun read as a document of scientific ideas in the late sixties.
*Since the author was living in Italy at the time of writing , the above must be true.
The book is well worth reading especially for its outdated parts. The idea the Chimpanzee society is the only one characterised by goodness and that there is no interpersonal violence now strikes us as very absurd. This and other examples Ardrey cites illustrate just how much the then young science of ethology has contributed to our knowledge.
The attempts to apply his ideas to the modern political situation in Israel and South Africa are interesting. Sometimes his ideas have proven to be mistaken, but some of his points unfortunately still have a ring of truth to it.
All in all a fun read as a document of scientific ideas in the late sixties.
*Since the author was living in Italy at the time of writing , the above must be true.
July 24, 2020
I just wrote a huge review of this, and of course it got deleted somehow with the touch of a wrong key, like big reviews always do. Jesus Christ I want to take a Gatling Gun to computers everywhere when this happens. Short version: really cheesy and over-written in some areas, but the subject matter and the examples are so incredible that I would recommend this book to anyone who can read.
September 2, 2015
An amazing work. There is so much to talk about with each chapter of this book.
1. Of Men and Mockingbirds
2. Arena Behavior
3. To Have and to Hold
4. The Voyage of the Animals
5. The Noyau
6. The Nation
7. Look Homeward Angel
8. The Amity-Enmity Complex
9. Three Faces of Janus
I'll be back with a review on this profoundly important book. Especially want to reflect on the two related chapters comparing The Noyau and The Nation. The Noyau being a society or community with a system of inward antagonism.
1. Of Men and Mockingbirds
2. Arena Behavior
3. To Have and to Hold
4. The Voyage of the Animals
5. The Noyau
6. The Nation
7. Look Homeward Angel
8. The Amity-Enmity Complex
9. Three Faces of Janus
I'll be back with a review on this profoundly important book. Especially want to reflect on the two related chapters comparing The Noyau and The Nation. The Noyau being a society or community with a system of inward antagonism.
February 5, 2021
Very intriguing ideas about how we humans value "territory" and how it has informed the formation of nations. He openly admits the imperative of territory isn't always important or even a critical behavior of some animal species, but when you look at primates with us at the end of the current primate lineage, it makes a lot of sense and explains why some nations and social/political/economic systems work and why others fail.
Territory and capitalism have strong links and depend on each other for their relative success. And if we look around at the societies and nations that have embraced capitalism, they seem the most successful and are able to better sustain their people and institutions. But is it perfect? Is it always desirable? No, but it is the best system we have so far.
Interesting that democracy works best with capitalism and the wide presence of property rights and produce the most successful and stable nations and social groups.
At times, Ardrey is a little vague and circumspect in his explanations, but if you re-read a little and stick with him, it all makes sense in the long run. Some have criticized his basic reasoning and claim territory is not an imperative, but if one were to challenge these critics' practice of ownership and their relationships to their homes, personal items, and their families (particularly courting), they might not be so demeaning of Ardrey's ideas.
Well worth the read. Mostly not too technical so that the average reader should be able to understand most of the content.
Territory and capitalism have strong links and depend on each other for their relative success. And if we look around at the societies and nations that have embraced capitalism, they seem the most successful and are able to better sustain their people and institutions. But is it perfect? Is it always desirable? No, but it is the best system we have so far.
Interesting that democracy works best with capitalism and the wide presence of property rights and produce the most successful and stable nations and social groups.
At times, Ardrey is a little vague and circumspect in his explanations, but if you re-read a little and stick with him, it all makes sense in the long run. Some have criticized his basic reasoning and claim territory is not an imperative, but if one were to challenge these critics' practice of ownership and their relationships to their homes, personal items, and their families (particularly courting), they might not be so demeaning of Ardrey's ideas.
Well worth the read. Mostly not too technical so that the average reader should be able to understand most of the content.
March 24, 2016
I expected this book to inform me on the topic of territory and its significance in the shaping of the animal's psychology and social relationships. The book has, by this measure, succeeded in illuminating the subject with detailed anecdotes and studies of a wide array of animals and birds. I especially like the manner in which arena behaviour and the 'noyau' was explained with detailed accounts of the Ugandan kob and the bowerbirds. I also found the experiments with planarian worms very fascinating and thought-provoking. I had also expected the author to hypothesize cool things (for the relative youth of ethology in 1967). The facts are the only reason this book gets its two stars, having been disappointing in every other way.
First, the book could have been written in about 160 to 200 pages, quite easily. The author, a former dramatist, has a knack for going into run-on sentences that do little except restate the previous sentence in a more colourful manner and test your patience. The rule of three is abused sorely, drastically and excessively. The book could have benefited from Simple Sentence construction. One is tempted to give the book the benefit of doubt since it belongs to 1967 but then you read another page and realize prolixity would not be so severe a crime if it actually helped the elucidation instead of doing a little dance around every statement, perhaps to win credibility by repetition.
Which brings me to the second point: the author has little to talk about after the first half of the book. He describes the different types of territories, hypothesizes the motivations behind these formations and then, very smoothly, proceeds to go into assumptions that might convince the unsuspecting and uncritical reader. One gets the distinct feeling that the author has reached a conclusion that he will justify through whatever means possible. The humility in admitting that one does not have sufficient information to make a claim is exploited in the worst way possible: to state the claim and assume that the half-truth state is sufficient to move ahead with the hypothesis. The Scientific Method is treated like an optional guideline and the results are quite difficult to digest.
Third, the author constantly seems apologetic about his lack of formal training in the field. This would not be so irritating if the author were not constantly non-committal and equivocal. It is not a crime to make qualified claims but it is one to make so many of them, so closely, with so much hedging.
I have not read any other books within the field yet but I am quite sure there are briefer, clearer and more fruitful resources to peruse. Read the first few chapters, if at all.
First, the book could have been written in about 160 to 200 pages, quite easily. The author, a former dramatist, has a knack for going into run-on sentences that do little except restate the previous sentence in a more colourful manner and test your patience. The rule of three is abused sorely, drastically and excessively. The book could have benefited from Simple Sentence construction. One is tempted to give the book the benefit of doubt since it belongs to 1967 but then you read another page and realize prolixity would not be so severe a crime if it actually helped the elucidation instead of doing a little dance around every statement, perhaps to win credibility by repetition.
Which brings me to the second point: the author has little to talk about after the first half of the book. He describes the different types of territories, hypothesizes the motivations behind these formations and then, very smoothly, proceeds to go into assumptions that might convince the unsuspecting and uncritical reader. One gets the distinct feeling that the author has reached a conclusion that he will justify through whatever means possible. The humility in admitting that one does not have sufficient information to make a claim is exploited in the worst way possible: to state the claim and assume that the half-truth state is sufficient to move ahead with the hypothesis. The Scientific Method is treated like an optional guideline and the results are quite difficult to digest.
Third, the author constantly seems apologetic about his lack of formal training in the field. This would not be so irritating if the author were not constantly non-committal and equivocal. It is not a crime to make qualified claims but it is one to make so many of them, so closely, with so much hedging.
I have not read any other books within the field yet but I am quite sure there are briefer, clearer and more fruitful resources to peruse. Read the first few chapters, if at all.
March 28, 2023
Read this long ago in the late 60's and early 70's along with several "pop" anthro books by Ardrey, Morris, Lorenz and others. The reason I became an Anthro major at the University of Colorado(Boulder). This book's about the emerging understanding connections in human behavior between programmed behavior(instincts) and learning/experience. As Mr. Spock might say... "Fascinating!" I found this on the free rack at the Brunswick(Curtis) Public Library. Nostalgia made me pick it up and take it home.
I see that Goodreads has switched me to the new book page design. Don't need it... don't like it... don't want it... PHOOEY!
Anyway, I'm still enjoying the author's take on what makes the natural world tick. Even if it pissed of M. F. Ashley Montagu!
I'm finally back to reading this book after taking a break to read a crappy Tana French mystery for book group. The current scene is Madagascar and its lemurs, a sort of proto-monkey group of species that exist only that island. There are some other itty-bitty proto-primates leading very low-profile live in other tropics and trying not to go extinct. Think marmosets... The lemurs of Madagascar may not be doing so well since this book was written. Habitat destruction is a problem. Thanks mankind!
Getting near then end of this inter-library loan book, which is good because it's due back tomorrow. It's tonight or never. I can't decide whether I read it back in the 70's or not. I was certainly AWARE of it... Meanwhile, the author is focusing near the end of things on the nature-nurture debate and takes pains to settle the hash of folks like M. F. Ashley Montagu, who claimed that there is no instinctive basis for aggression/enmity. Ardrey says that recent(at the time) animal studies(ethology) seem to show that clearly is not the case. I'm with Ardrey...
Finished(just in time) last night with this excellent book. The only drawback for me were the at times fusty mid-2oth c. somewhat academic prose. My aging brain was challenged to follow along with understanding. Wiki says that this book and others of it's time(1960's and 70's) and topic(human/animal behavior) drew many students into an interest in Anthropology and Ethology. That was certainly the case with me.
- Something near the end made me think of "Blood Meridian"'s little blurb at the beginning... the scalping thing.
- 4.75* rounds up to 5*.
I see that Goodreads has switched me to the new book page design. Don't need it... don't like it... don't want it... PHOOEY!
Anyway, I'm still enjoying the author's take on what makes the natural world tick. Even if it pissed of M. F. Ashley Montagu!
I'm finally back to reading this book after taking a break to read a crappy Tana French mystery for book group. The current scene is Madagascar and its lemurs, a sort of proto-monkey group of species that exist only that island. There are some other itty-bitty proto-primates leading very low-profile live in other tropics and trying not to go extinct. Think marmosets... The lemurs of Madagascar may not be doing so well since this book was written. Habitat destruction is a problem. Thanks mankind!
Getting near then end of this inter-library loan book, which is good because it's due back tomorrow. It's tonight or never. I can't decide whether I read it back in the 70's or not. I was certainly AWARE of it... Meanwhile, the author is focusing near the end of things on the nature-nurture debate and takes pains to settle the hash of folks like M. F. Ashley Montagu, who claimed that there is no instinctive basis for aggression/enmity. Ardrey says that recent(at the time) animal studies(ethology) seem to show that clearly is not the case. I'm with Ardrey...
Finished(just in time) last night with this excellent book. The only drawback for me were the at times fusty mid-2oth c. somewhat academic prose. My aging brain was challenged to follow along with understanding. Wiki says that this book and others of it's time(1960's and 70's) and topic(human/animal behavior) drew many students into an interest in Anthropology and Ethology. That was certainly the case with me.
- Something near the end made me think of "Blood Meridian"'s little blurb at the beginning... the scalping thing.
- 4.75* rounds up to 5*.
July 19, 2020
As the other books in this series, African Genesis and Social Contract, this is an exciting book. Ardrey takes a deep dive into the concept of territory, mainly how it impacts behaviour in animals but also speculates how in humans. This brings him to a number topics from nation to war, and as in his other books he has a fascinating writing style with a lot of scientific observations and stories from the animal kingdom.
Despite its nearly fifty years of age, the book is general very well aged. It's a pity Ardrey is missing in current day's popular science, as he could be winning many readers into the genre.
Despite its nearly fifty years of age, the book is general very well aged. It's a pity Ardrey is missing in current day's popular science, as he could be winning many readers into the genre.
January 4, 2023
This book and other pop anthropology helped me choose anthro as my major at U. of Colo. Date read is approximate.
October 5, 2020
some interesting discussions, just very outdated in the world of anthropology and biology. ardrey's cold war era american perspective tinges a lot of his analyses of capitalism/communism to the point of detriment. he also makes the assumption that many classic works of anthropology do: that societal structures inherently develop from "simple" to "complex" and the nation state is what all societies will eventually "evolve" into. this assumes superiority/naturalness in the nation state over other forms of groups (of which there are many, with varying levels of complexity) as if it is the natural endpoint on a sliding scale of evolution, when more contemporary works unpack how societal formation is more nuanced than "simple vs. complex." since most anthropologists understand that the biology of animals/plants constantly changes in response to the environment and never reaches a fixed endpoint of an "ideal" form, i am always surprised they do not understand the same in societal structures. evolution doesn't have a "correct" end goal, therefore the nation state is not inherently better than a band of hunter-gatherers. this always comes off as a more palatable way to phrase the old colonial idea of "savage vs. civilized," so i'm not a fan.
i will say that ardrey's prose is the best i've ever read from an older anthropological work, but that's a very low bar.
i will say that ardrey's prose is the best i've ever read from an older anthropological work, but that's a very low bar.
January 20, 2014
After reading African Genesis, this book didn't have quite the same dramatic impact, however having read it I feel that it is the sequel and a substantiates African Genesis, impeccably. It's a pity that these book are not included in the educational institutions syllabuses.
If I had of known truth from as young as I could have comprehended his researched observations, then there would have been a lot less stress, frustration and misunderstanding of the very foundations of myself and everything around me because it's not hard to fill the gaps if his work for a complete understanding of exactly what the function it all is and how finding a comfortable spot to be able to deal with anything that comes my direction in this Life.
What a legend.
If I had of known truth from as young as I could have comprehended his researched observations, then there would have been a lot less stress, frustration and misunderstanding of the very foundations of myself and everything around me because it's not hard to fill the gaps if his work for a complete understanding of exactly what the function it all is and how finding a comfortable spot to be able to deal with anything that comes my direction in this Life.
What a legend.
May 4, 2010
Robert Ardrey had a successful run as a playwright. Later in his career, he became interested in the biological/evolutionary bases of social behavior--including in humans. This volume outlines an argument that terrirtorial behavior is an important feature of many social species, and that it can explain aspects of human behavior. It is thin as a scientific work, but that was not his purpose. I'm not sure that the book has aged well, but it had an impact in its day.
August 22, 2014
A bit outdated sure, at some parts it drags in awkward analogy, but overall worth reading to understand how the concept of territory can be hard-wired and how it influences supposedly reasonable humanity the same way it does other territorial species. And anyway, some parts of it really pop with wit, even if others don't.
Read
August 3, 2008Rough start on holddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
April 4, 2009
Very interesting read with memorable: "enmity breeds amity", a phrase that describes why flood victims help each other, and why the invaded defend their land against invaders.
June 15, 2009
an industrial,/social continuation and extension of "African Genesis"
October 30, 2009
A follow-up to Ardrey's African Genesis, The Territorial Imperative explores Ardrey's central notion that territory - not food and not sex - is our strongest biological drive.
September 19, 2012
fundamental and useful
June 5, 2013
A great observation of territorial nature in the animal kingdom and an even greater argument for territorial behavior in man.
June 23, 2013
Read this as a freshman in college. I was bored and wandering through my mother's books. One of the funniest books I have ever read. The writing is excellent. One of my favorite books of all time.
May 21, 2016
Well written, very interesting and a great read
August 21, 2016
A favourite. The best explaination of how we as humans behave. Consciousness can change all that.
July 18, 2024
Mr. Ardrey,
If I remember right, I bought this book about a year ago at a second hand shop. I went into it with no knowledge of the author - I just thought that it looked interesting! And now that I've finally gotten around to reading it, I can say: it was FANTASTIC! I was completely enchanted by the first chapters, which explained the state of research on territory through examples of different animals from all over kingdom animalia - such as bower birds, planarian worms, hippopotamuses, and lemurs. The writing was humorous and informative, and I found it so engaging that I would lose track of time while reading and look up to realize it was an hour later than I had thought. Though obviously I took a lot of the research with a grain of salt, given that this book was written in 1966 and newer research may dispute the findings discussed, I really enjoyed reading a historical science non-fiction. It was fascinating to see which discoveries had already shocked the scientific world at the time, and which were new or even decades off still.
I felt that the fifth chapter, "The Amity-Emnity Complex", was where the book showed its age the most. I know that it's a book about 'the animal origins of property and nations', but I enjoyed that a lot more when the text was discussing different types of animal territorialism...not discussing the merits of Israel's invasion of Palestine, or the successes of South Africa's apartheid, or admitting that the author really thinks the USA was right to go to war with Vietnam. I would have been happy to learn about how human territorialism resembles animal territorialism. I could even have understood the need to discuss communism and how the author feels the idea is flawed because of the territorial imperative. But that fifth chapter really lost me.
Thank you for the book,
Jordan
If I remember right, I bought this book about a year ago at a second hand shop. I went into it with no knowledge of the author - I just thought that it looked interesting! And now that I've finally gotten around to reading it, I can say: it was FANTASTIC! I was completely enchanted by the first chapters, which explained the state of research on territory through examples of different animals from all over kingdom animalia - such as bower birds, planarian worms, hippopotamuses, and lemurs. The writing was humorous and informative, and I found it so engaging that I would lose track of time while reading and look up to realize it was an hour later than I had thought. Though obviously I took a lot of the research with a grain of salt, given that this book was written in 1966 and newer research may dispute the findings discussed, I really enjoyed reading a historical science non-fiction. It was fascinating to see which discoveries had already shocked the scientific world at the time, and which were new or even decades off still.
I felt that the fifth chapter, "The Amity-Emnity Complex", was where the book showed its age the most. I know that it's a book about 'the animal origins of property and nations', but I enjoyed that a lot more when the text was discussing different types of animal territorialism...not discussing the merits of Israel's invasion of Palestine, or the successes of South Africa's apartheid, or admitting that the author really thinks the USA was right to go to war with Vietnam. I would have been happy to learn about how human territorialism resembles animal territorialism. I could even have understood the need to discuss communism and how the author feels the idea is flawed because of the territorial imperative. But that fifth chapter really lost me.
Thank you for the book,
Jordan
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
Let me take issue with some of the other reviews and comments regarding this book. They seem to be taking the position that private property is king and that it is responsible for everything positive in human evolution, when in fact evolution is always about finding better ways of doing things that reduce conflict rather than finding ways of perpetuating conflict because it benefits some at the expense of others.
At the risk of sounding racist or insensitive I'm going to relate a story that I find instructive. I have a neighbor who is native American and there is a tree outside his door in the apartment complex where I live. For years he has set bird feeders out and spread feed on the ground for squirrels. There is nothing wrong with that except that it destroys the grass under that tree in an ever larger circle in an area that is designated a common area for the use of all the tenants. To me this is a small thing that represents a larger issue of property rights and property rights denied. This is not a matter of whether someone should be feeding the wildlife or not, but of the native American impulse to mark territory on however small a scale under another rationale. It's the old Freudian notion that we must lie to ourselves before we can lie to others and it's a consequence of property itself in the form of real property. As has already been stated it's not about finding more equitable ways of distributing property. That's not possible on any consistent basis, but maybe it's more about finding ways of fulfilling aspirations without the damaging consequences of the territorial imperative.
At the risk of sounding racist or insensitive I'm going to relate a story that I find instructive. I have a neighbor who is native American and there is a tree outside his door in the apartment complex where I live. For years he has set bird feeders out and spread feed on the ground for squirrels. There is nothing wrong with that except that it destroys the grass under that tree in an ever larger circle in an area that is designated a common area for the use of all the tenants. To me this is a small thing that represents a larger issue of property rights and property rights denied. This is not a matter of whether someone should be feeding the wildlife or not, but of the native American impulse to mark territory on however small a scale under another rationale. It's the old Freudian notion that we must lie to ourselves before we can lie to others and it's a consequence of property itself in the form of real property. As has already been stated it's not about finding more equitable ways of distributing property. That's not possible on any consistent basis, but maybe it's more about finding ways of fulfilling aspirations without the damaging consequences of the territorial imperative.
January 26, 2023
Let Go of My Eggo
A territory is an area of space that animal guards as its exclusive possession and which it will defend against all members of its kind. Of course, we didn't need somebody to tell us that. Yet in 1996 we did need a book, this one as part of the popular science of the time to open our eyes to this phenomenon and what it means to us.
Look closer at the subtitle and you too will still be interested in “A Personal Inquiry into the Origins of Property and Nations (biological nations).”
Robert Ardrey American playwright and screenwriter does what we all do (well most of us) and dives into the anthropology of his day. Therefore this is a great book to see what the general view or at least one person’s insight was in the 1960s.
Now, of course, with hindsight, there are plenty of contradictory theories and writings. But we should not overlook this gem.
This book also includes drawings by Berdine Ardrey, an extensive bibliography, and an index.
A territory is an area of space that animal guards as its exclusive possession and which it will defend against all members of its kind. Of course, we didn't need somebody to tell us that. Yet in 1996 we did need a book, this one as part of the popular science of the time to open our eyes to this phenomenon and what it means to us.
Look closer at the subtitle and you too will still be interested in “A Personal Inquiry into the Origins of Property and Nations (biological nations).”
Robert Ardrey American playwright and screenwriter does what we all do (well most of us) and dives into the anthropology of his day. Therefore this is a great book to see what the general view or at least one person’s insight was in the 1960s.
Now, of course, with hindsight, there are plenty of contradictory theories and writings. But we should not overlook this gem.
This book also includes drawings by Berdine Ardrey, an extensive bibliography, and an index.
January 29, 2025
"Never since animal records have been kept, never certainly since Noah ushered his passengers aboard the ark, has history recalled the hatching of a naturally loving, amiable, cooperative goose." AMEN
July 18, 2025
Wonderful style. Interesting premise, in light of today's events 60 years later. Quote describing the isolation of lemurs and other fauna in Madagascar: "Here obsolete species could thrive like obsolete industries behind a tariff wall." Curious.
November 14, 2022
One of the best books I ever have read on this subject. One of my top ten of all time.
Read
March 10, 2024The dog barking at you from behind his master’s fence acts for a motive indistinguishable from that of his master when the fence was built.
Read
January 8, 2025An interesting journey of the evolution of instinct and the role of territory on the development of mankind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews