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The Social Instinct
What Nature Can Teach Us About Working Together
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Description
What can nature teach us about working together? Exploring evolution, animal behaviour and human psychology, The Social Instinct reveals how cooperation has shaped humankind - and what happens when it goes wrong.
'A phenomenally important book' - Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins
Why do we live in families? Why do we help complete strangers? Why do we compare ourselves to others? Why do we cooperate?
The science of cooperation tells us not only how we got here, but also where we might end up. In The Social Instinct, Nichola Raihani introduces us to other species who, like us, live and work together. From the pied babblers of the Kalahari to the cleaner fish of the Great Barrier Reef, they happen to be some of the most fascinating and extraordinarily successful species on this planet. What do we have in common with these animals, and what can we learn from them? The Social Instinct is an exhilarating, far-reaching, and thought-provoking journey through all life on Earth, with profound insights into what makes us human and how our societies work.
'A pleasing juxtaposition of insightful scientific theory with illuminating anecdotes' - Richard Dawkins
'Surprising, thoughtful and, best of all, endlessly entertaining' - Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling
'A superb book about how important cooperation is' - Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Social Instinct by Nichola Raihani is highly praised for its exploration of why humans are inherently cooperative and social. Reviewers describe it as important and superb, highlighting its examination of cooperation's role from biological to societal levels. The book is noted for being surprising, thoughtful, entertaining, and is admired for its engaging writing style and insightful anecdotes.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529112122
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 19.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 242g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Nichola Raihani is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Professor in Evolution and Behaviour at UCL. Her group's research focuses on the evolution of social behaviour in humans and non-human species. She has been widely published in scientific journals, won the 2018 Philip Leverhulme Prize in Psychology for her research achievements, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2018. She has also worked in the BBC Science Development Team, and appeared on several podcasts and radio shows, including BBC Radio 4's 'Hacking the Unconscious' and 'Thought Cages'.
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