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A Natural History of Human Morality

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( 203 ratings, 28 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Natural History of Human Morality by Michael Tomasello explores the evolutionary and developmental origins of human moral psychology. Tomasello argues that morality evolved to enable humans to cooperate and collaborate, paving the way for human social norms and shared values. The book delves into how these moral behaviours are distinctively human and are key to understanding our social interactions and community living.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in understanding the evolutionary foundations of human morality. This work explores how cooperation and shared intentions have played a crucial role in the development of moral behaviour, offering an insightful blend of philosophy, psychology, and anthropology.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Winner of the Eleanor Maccoby Book Award in Developmental Psychology, American Psychological Association.

Winner of a PROSE Award, Association of American Publishers.

Shortlist, Cognitive Development Society Book Award.

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year.

A Natural History of Human Morality offers the most detailed account to date of the evolution of human moral psychology. Based on extensive experimental data comparing great apes and human children, Michael Tomasello reconstructs how early humans gradually became an ultra-cooperative and, eventually, a moral species.

"Tomasello is convincing, above all, because he has run many of the relevant studies (on chimps, bonobos and children) himself. He concludes by emphasizing the powerful influence of broad cultural groups on modern humans. Tomasello also makes an endearing guide, appearing happily amazed that morality exists at all."
-Michael Bond, New Scientist

"Most evolutionary theories picture humans as amoral 'monads' motivated by self-interest. Tomasello presents an innovative and well-researched, hypothesized natural history of two key evolutionary steps leading to full-blown morality."
-S. A. Mason, Choice

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 work by Michael Tomasello is praised for its significant contribution to understanding the evolution of morality, balancing accessibility with complex ideas. It offers a synthesis of Tomasello's ideas, presenting a genealogy of morality that is philosophically relevant. Reviewers appreciate its appeal to a broad audience, including researchers and students, and commend Tomasello's hands-on approach through his studies, highlighting his insights into cooperation and moral development.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674986824

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: 6 line illustrations

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 208

About the Author

Michael Tomasello is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. From 1998 to 2018 he was Co-Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and in 2017 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His scientific work has been recognized by institutions around the world, including the Guggenheim Foundation, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Netherlands, and the German National Academy of Sciences.

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