Inheritance

Autor*innen

• Harvey Whitehouse

Parameter

• Geschichte
• Historisches Thema
• Sachliteratur
• Sozialwissenschaften

Mehr zum Buch

Our evolved psychology has profoundly influenced humanity's trajectory, endowing us with ancient biases shaped by natural and cultural selection. These biases have propelled us towards remarkable achievements, fostering advanced technologies, organized religions, and expansive empires. However, we now face a critical juncture where these inherited traits are failing us, leading to unprecedented political polarization, escalating conflicts, and environmental crises. Renowned anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse presents a comprehensive exploration of how our evolved biases have influenced our past and threaten our future. By integrating psychological experiments, fieldwork, and big data, he introduces three pervasive biases—conformism, religiosity, and tribalism—that have historically driven significant transformations, from the advent of agriculture to the establishment of multiethnic empires. Yet, these same biases now endanger our survival. Through insights gained from diverse contexts, including New Guinea tribes and Libyan militias, Whitehouse illustrates how the mechanisms we once relied on to manage these biases are deteriorating, with dire consequences. By revealing the interplay between human nature and collective history, this work offers a fresh perspective on addressing our most pressing challenges, ultimately reshaping our understanding of humanity's past and potential future.

• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2024
• Einband: Paperback