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图书馆 | 资料类型 | 排架号 | 子计数 | 书架位置 | 状态 | 图书预约 |
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正在检索... Science | Book | 304.5 G575B, 1991 | 1 | Stacks | 正在检索... 未知 | 正在检索... 不可借阅 |
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摘要
摘要
In this stimulating book, Goldsmith argues that biology has a great deal to say that should be of interest to social scientists, historians, philosophers, and humanists in general. He believes that anyone studying the social behavior of humans must take into consideration both proximate cause--the physiology, biochemistry, and social mechanisms of behavior--and ultimate cause--how the behavior came to exist in evolutionary time. Goldsmith, a neurobiologist, draws examples from neurobiology, psychology, and ethology (behavioral evolution). The result is a work that overcomes many of the misconceptions that have hindered the rich contributions the biological sciences have to offer concerning the evolution of human society, behavior, and sense of identity. Among the key topics addressed are the nature of biological explanation, the relationship between genes and behavior, those aspects of behavior most likely to respond to natural selection, the relationship between evolution and learning, and some probable modes of interaction between cultural and biological evolution. By re-examining the role of biological explanation in the domain of social development, the author has significantly advanced a more well-rounded view of human evolution and shed new light on the perennial question of what it means to be human. His book will appeal to biologists, social scientists, traditional humanists, and interested general readers.
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Goaded by the misunderstandings of fellow academics and the misconceptions of the general public, Goldsmith has attempted to clarify many of the issues that nonexperts find confusing about an evolutionary approach to behavior. Much of this has been said by others, i.e., Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene (CH, May'77) and The Blind Watchmaker (1986); Richard Alexander, in Darwinism and Human Affairs (1979); and Charles J. Lumsden and E.O. Wilson in Promethean Fire (CH, Sep'83). The strength of the book is not its originality, but the succinct way in which Goldsmith explains many of the confusing and misunderstood elements of sociobiology. Contrary to the title, there is relatively little material specifically relevant to human nature and behavior. The book might have been improved by the inclusion of more up-to-date references, but it will serve as a good companion piece to accompany more complete discussions of evolutionary theory and behavior.-D. A. Smith, Oberlin College
目录
1 The Dual Nature of Causation in Biology |
2 Some Fallacies and Misconceptions |
3 Evolutionary Theory Since Darwin |
4 Reasoning About Ultimate Causes of Behavior |
5 Getting From Genes to Behavior |
6 Evolutionary Perspectives on Volition, Learning, and Language |
7 Decisions, Decisions! |
8 Culture, Anthropology, and Evolution |
9 Epilogue -- ""Concerning Biological Reductionism |