Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens

Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens

Author: Pascal Boyer

Publisher: Open Book Publishers

Published: 2021-07-09

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1800642091

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This volume brings together a collection of seven articles previously published by the author, with a new introduction reframing the articles in the context of past and present questions in anthropology, psychology and human evolution. It promotes the perspective of ‘integrated’ social science, in which social science questions are addressed in a deliberately eclectic manner, combining results and models from evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, economics, anthropology and history. It thus constitutes a welcome contribution to a gradually emerging approach to social science based on E. O. Wilson’s concept of ‘consilience’. Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens spans a wide range of topics, from an examination of ritual behaviour, integrating neuro-science, ethology and anthropology to explain why humans engage in ritual actions (both cultural and individual), to the motivation of conflicts between groups. As such, the collection gives readers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the applications of an evolutionary paradigm in the social sciences. This volume will be a useful resource for scholars and students in the social sciences (particularly psychology, anthropology, evolutionary biology and the political sciences), as well as a general readership interested in the social sciences.


Book Synopsis Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens by : Pascal Boyer

Download or read book Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens written by Pascal Boyer and published by Open Book Publishers. This book was released on 2021-07-09 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume brings together a collection of seven articles previously published by the author, with a new introduction reframing the articles in the context of past and present questions in anthropology, psychology and human evolution. It promotes the perspective of ‘integrated’ social science, in which social science questions are addressed in a deliberately eclectic manner, combining results and models from evolutionary biology, experimental psychology, economics, anthropology and history. It thus constitutes a welcome contribution to a gradually emerging approach to social science based on E. O. Wilson’s concept of ‘consilience’. Human Cultures through the Scientific Lens spans a wide range of topics, from an examination of ritual behaviour, integrating neuro-science, ethology and anthropology to explain why humans engage in ritual actions (both cultural and individual), to the motivation of conflicts between groups. As such, the collection gives readers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the applications of an evolutionary paradigm in the social sciences. This volume will be a useful resource for scholars and students in the social sciences (particularly psychology, anthropology, evolutionary biology and the political sciences), as well as a general readership interested in the social sciences.

Evolutionary Essays

Evolutionary Essays

Author: Sven Erik Jørgensen

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2011-04-18

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9780080559971

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Evolution is nature’s most fascinating process, the possibility given sufficient time to combine simple inorganic compounds to more and more complex biochemical compounds, which make up more and more complex organisms. It is therefore crucial in our effort to understand the evolution to see it from as many different angles as possible. This books draw an image of evolution from the thermodynamic viewpoint, which gives new and surprising insights into the processes and mechanisms that have driven evolution. This new thermodynamic interpretation has made it possible to quantify the various steps of evolution and to show that evolution has followed an exponential growth curve. The first comprehensive thermodynamic interpretation and explanation of evolution This thermodynamic interpretation makes it possible to quantify the various steps of evolution This interpretation explains the wide spectrum of different mechanisms on which the evolution has been based


Book Synopsis Evolutionary Essays by : Sven Erik Jørgensen

Download or read book Evolutionary Essays written by Sven Erik Jørgensen and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2011-04-18 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evolution is nature’s most fascinating process, the possibility given sufficient time to combine simple inorganic compounds to more and more complex biochemical compounds, which make up more and more complex organisms. It is therefore crucial in our effort to understand the evolution to see it from as many different angles as possible. This books draw an image of evolution from the thermodynamic viewpoint, which gives new and surprising insights into the processes and mechanisms that have driven evolution. This new thermodynamic interpretation has made it possible to quantify the various steps of evolution and to show that evolution has followed an exponential growth curve. The first comprehensive thermodynamic interpretation and explanation of evolution This thermodynamic interpretation makes it possible to quantify the various steps of evolution This interpretation explains the wide spectrum of different mechanisms on which the evolution has been based

Naturalism Defeated?

Naturalism Defeated?

Author: James K. Beilby

Publisher: Cornell University Press

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780801487637

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Plantinga's argument is aimed at metaphysical naturalism or roughly the view that no supernatural beings exist. Naturalism is typically conjoined with evolution as an explanation of the existence and diversity of life. Plantinga's claim is that one who holds to the truth of both naturalism and evolution is irrational in doing so. More specifically, because the probability that unguided evolution would have produced reliable cognitive faculties is either low or inscrutable, one who holds both naturalism and evolution acquires a "defeater" for every belief he/she holds, including the beliefs associated with naturalism and evolution.


Book Synopsis Naturalism Defeated? by : James K. Beilby

Download or read book Naturalism Defeated? written by James K. Beilby and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2002 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Plantinga's argument is aimed at metaphysical naturalism or roughly the view that no supernatural beings exist. Naturalism is typically conjoined with evolution as an explanation of the existence and diversity of life. Plantinga's claim is that one who holds to the truth of both naturalism and evolution is irrational in doing so. More specifically, because the probability that unguided evolution would have produced reliable cognitive faculties is either low or inscrutable, one who holds both naturalism and evolution acquires a "defeater" for every belief he/she holds, including the beliefs associated with naturalism and evolution.

Evolutionary Essays 02

Evolutionary Essays 02

Author: Kyle Lance Proudfoot

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2015-05-05

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13: 150494187X

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Evolutionary Essays are essays that I started to write at York University in Toronto, Canada, and finished the free drafts on 05-02-2012. They are in the genres of Philosophy, psychology, politics, economics, religion, culture, history, and evolution, with a good dosage of humor and intellect. Evolutionary Essays is what I see as positive for this planet and what is wrong especially in the modern Western civilizations. This is not just pure optimism and will use sound, logical, argumentational, and factual structures. This is also to dispel highly prevalent pessimisms and reveal realities, to regain constructive positivism which we have lost so many times nullifying our productivity; life is a sine wave, it is not about your success and failures but the fact you keep getting up again. it is not if you win or lose but how you fight your battles. it is not how you die but how you lived your life: Debts not paid in this one are incurred in the next one. This is to try and bring clarity and solutions from observation and experience, the distinct realm of philosophy. This is a philosophical discourse, description, and narration using logic, reason, reduction, deduction, facts, and argumentation to provide a point of view with constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement which may be adopted and/or applied to Citizens, governments, or corporations. A philosopher's position is to ask questions, not, per se, to answer anything or to be a guide, but rather to point in the correct direction of the past, present, and future, giving no more than a guideline for you can only find your own will and way. Where possible, though it is highly relative, one can try and reveal truth. Like light versus shadow it will always win in the end. Truth is commonality.


Book Synopsis Evolutionary Essays 02 by : Kyle Lance Proudfoot

Download or read book Evolutionary Essays 02 written by Kyle Lance Proudfoot and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2015-05-05 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evolutionary Essays are essays that I started to write at York University in Toronto, Canada, and finished the free drafts on 05-02-2012. They are in the genres of Philosophy, psychology, politics, economics, religion, culture, history, and evolution, with a good dosage of humor and intellect. Evolutionary Essays is what I see as positive for this planet and what is wrong especially in the modern Western civilizations. This is not just pure optimism and will use sound, logical, argumentational, and factual structures. This is also to dispel highly prevalent pessimisms and reveal realities, to regain constructive positivism which we have lost so many times nullifying our productivity; life is a sine wave, it is not about your success and failures but the fact you keep getting up again. it is not if you win or lose but how you fight your battles. it is not how you die but how you lived your life: Debts not paid in this one are incurred in the next one. This is to try and bring clarity and solutions from observation and experience, the distinct realm of philosophy. This is a philosophical discourse, description, and narration using logic, reason, reduction, deduction, facts, and argumentation to provide a point of view with constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement which may be adopted and/or applied to Citizens, governments, or corporations. A philosopher's position is to ask questions, not, per se, to answer anything or to be a guide, but rather to point in the correct direction of the past, present, and future, giving no more than a guideline for you can only find your own will and way. Where possible, though it is highly relative, one can try and reveal truth. Like light versus shadow it will always win in the end. Truth is commonality.

How Evolution Shapes Our Lives

How Evolution Shapes Our Lives

Author: Jonathan B. Losos

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 0691171874

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" It is easy to think of evolution as something that happened long ago, or that occurs only in "nature," or that is so slow that its ongoing impact is virtually nonexistent when viewed from the perspective of a single human lifetime. But we now know that when natural selection is strong, evolutionary change can be very rapid. In this book, some of the world's leading scientists explore the implications of this reality for human life and society. With some twenty-five essays, this volume provides authoritative yet accessible explorations of why understanding evolution is crucial to human life--from dealing with climate change and ensuring our food supply, health, and economic survival to developing a richer and more accurate comprehension of society, culture, and even what it means to be human itself. Combining new essays with ones revised and updated from the acclaimed Princeton Guide to Evolution, this collection addresses the role of evolution in aging, cognition, cooperation, religion, the media, engineering, computer science, and many other areas. The result is a compelling and important book about how evolution matters to humans today. The contributors include Francisco J. Ayala, Dieter Ebert, Elizabeth Hannon, Richard E. Lenski, Tim Lewens, Jonathan B. Losos, Jacob A. Moorad, Mark Pagel, Robert T. Pennock, Daniel E. L. Promislow, Robert C. Richardson, Alan R. Templeton, and Carl Zimmer."--


Book Synopsis How Evolution Shapes Our Lives by : Jonathan B. Losos

Download or read book How Evolution Shapes Our Lives written by Jonathan B. Losos and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2016 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: " It is easy to think of evolution as something that happened long ago, or that occurs only in "nature," or that is so slow that its ongoing impact is virtually nonexistent when viewed from the perspective of a single human lifetime. But we now know that when natural selection is strong, evolutionary change can be very rapid. In this book, some of the world's leading scientists explore the implications of this reality for human life and society. With some twenty-five essays, this volume provides authoritative yet accessible explorations of why understanding evolution is crucial to human life--from dealing with climate change and ensuring our food supply, health, and economic survival to developing a richer and more accurate comprehension of society, culture, and even what it means to be human itself. Combining new essays with ones revised and updated from the acclaimed Princeton Guide to Evolution, this collection addresses the role of evolution in aging, cognition, cooperation, religion, the media, engineering, computer science, and many other areas. The result is a compelling and important book about how evolution matters to humans today. The contributors include Francisco J. Ayala, Dieter Ebert, Elizabeth Hannon, Richard E. Lenski, Tim Lewens, Jonathan B. Losos, Jacob A. Moorad, Mark Pagel, Robert T. Pennock, Daniel E. L. Promislow, Robert C. Richardson, Alan R. Templeton, and Carl Zimmer."--

Mind from Matter?

Mind from Matter?

Author: Max Delbrück

Publisher:

Published: 1985

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Mind from Matter? by : Max Delbrück

Download or read book Mind from Matter? written by Max Delbrück and published by . This book was released on 1985 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

In the Light of Evolution: Essays from the Laboratory and Field

In the Light of Evolution: Essays from the Laboratory and Field

Author: Jonathan Losos

Publisher: Roberts

Published: 2016-04-22

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780981519494

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A collection of essays by leading scientists, and includes essays by science writer Carl Zimmer, historian Janet Browne, and a foreword by journalist David Quammen. As Quammen says in his foreword, the book collects "reports from the field, plainspoken descriptions of lifetime obsessions, hard-earned bits of wisdom, and works in progress, pried loose from some of the most interesting, eminent researchers in evolutionary biology...” The book is intended for anyone with an interest in evolution, and it can be used in a wide variety of courses, including major's and non-major's introductory biology and evolution classes. For anyone who is fascinated by evolutionary biology and who desire to understand better the day-by-day, species, ecosystem-by-ecosystem texture of its practice as a scientific profession.


Book Synopsis In the Light of Evolution: Essays from the Laboratory and Field by : Jonathan Losos

Download or read book In the Light of Evolution: Essays from the Laboratory and Field written by Jonathan Losos and published by Roberts. This book was released on 2016-04-22 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of essays by leading scientists, and includes essays by science writer Carl Zimmer, historian Janet Browne, and a foreword by journalist David Quammen. As Quammen says in his foreword, the book collects "reports from the field, plainspoken descriptions of lifetime obsessions, hard-earned bits of wisdom, and works in progress, pried loose from some of the most interesting, eminent researchers in evolutionary biology...” The book is intended for anyone with an interest in evolution, and it can be used in a wide variety of courses, including major's and non-major's introductory biology and evolution classes. For anyone who is fascinated by evolutionary biology and who desire to understand better the day-by-day, species, ecosystem-by-ecosystem texture of its practice as a scientific profession.

History, Humanity and Evolution

History, Humanity and Evolution

Author: James Richard Moore

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2002-10-03

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 9780521524780

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History, Humanity and Evolution brings together thirteen original essays by prominent scholars in the history of evolutionary thought. The volume is intended both to represent the best of today's research in the field and also to celebrate the work of the distinguished historian, John C. Greene, whose historical writings have had a unique influence on this volume's contributors as well as the field as a whole. Using contemporary sources as diverse as medicine, literature, and natural history tableaux, and drawing on the resources of publishing history, feminist scholarship, and the histories of politics, sociology, and philosophy, the contributors offer new perspectives not only on familiar figures such as Erasmus and Charles Darwin, Lamarck, Chambers, Huxley, and Haeckel, but also on many lesser known participants in the evolutionary debates. The volume contains a fascinating introductory conversation with John C. Greene and an afterword by him that responds to the contributors' essays.


Book Synopsis History, Humanity and Evolution by : James Richard Moore

Download or read book History, Humanity and Evolution written by James Richard Moore and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2002-10-03 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: History, Humanity and Evolution brings together thirteen original essays by prominent scholars in the history of evolutionary thought. The volume is intended both to represent the best of today's research in the field and also to celebrate the work of the distinguished historian, John C. Greene, whose historical writings have had a unique influence on this volume's contributors as well as the field as a whole. Using contemporary sources as diverse as medicine, literature, and natural history tableaux, and drawing on the resources of publishing history, feminist scholarship, and the histories of politics, sociology, and philosophy, the contributors offer new perspectives not only on familiar figures such as Erasmus and Charles Darwin, Lamarck, Chambers, Huxley, and Haeckel, but also on many lesser known participants in the evolutionary debates. The volume contains a fascinating introductory conversation with John C. Greene and an afterword by him that responds to the contributors' essays.

Essays on the Evolutionary-Synthetic Theory of Language

Essays on the Evolutionary-Synthetic Theory of Language

Author: Alexey Koshelev

Publisher: Academic Studies PRess

Published: 2020-04-14

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 1644693690

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This book implements a multidisciplinary approach in describing language both in its ontogenetic development and in its close interrelationship with other human subsystems such as thought, memory, and activity, with a focus on the semantic component of the evolutionary-synthetic theory. The volume analyzes, among others, the mechanisms for grammatical polysemy, and brings to light the structural unity of artefact and natural concepts (such as CHAIR, ROAD, LAKE, RIVER, TREE). Additionally, object and motor concepts are defined in terms of the language of thought, and their representation in neurobiological memory codes is discussed; finally, the hierarchic structure of basic meanings of concrete nouns is shown to arise as a result of their step-by-step development in ontogeny.


Book Synopsis Essays on the Evolutionary-Synthetic Theory of Language by : Alexey Koshelev

Download or read book Essays on the Evolutionary-Synthetic Theory of Language written by Alexey Koshelev and published by Academic Studies PRess. This book was released on 2020-04-14 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book implements a multidisciplinary approach in describing language both in its ontogenetic development and in its close interrelationship with other human subsystems such as thought, memory, and activity, with a focus on the semantic component of the evolutionary-synthetic theory. The volume analyzes, among others, the mechanisms for grammatical polysemy, and brings to light the structural unity of artefact and natural concepts (such as CHAIR, ROAD, LAKE, RIVER, TREE). Additionally, object and motor concepts are defined in terms of the language of thought, and their representation in neurobiological memory codes is discussed; finally, the hierarchic structure of basic meanings of concrete nouns is shown to arise as a result of their step-by-step development in ontogeny.

Essays on Evolutionary Astrology

Essays on Evolutionary Astrology

Author: Ed Deva Green

Publisher: The Wessex Astrologer

Published: 2011-06-11

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13: 191053109X

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When Jeffrey Wolf Green retired and went into seclusion he left his daughter Deva with everything that he had ever written which included drafts of various manuscripts which he had intended to publish at various points. This also included every audio tape, video, dvd, and transcript of his lectures delivered over a lengthy career. He also gave Deva his business and asked her to carry on with it. This book refl ects her desire to continue to disseminate his work as widely as possible. In Essays on Evolutionary Astrology: The Evolutionary Journey of The Soul there is a combination of transcribed lectures with parts of various manuscripts, most of which has never been in print before.


Book Synopsis Essays on Evolutionary Astrology by : Ed Deva Green

Download or read book Essays on Evolutionary Astrology written by Ed Deva Green and published by The Wessex Astrologer. This book was released on 2011-06-11 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Jeffrey Wolf Green retired and went into seclusion he left his daughter Deva with everything that he had ever written which included drafts of various manuscripts which he had intended to publish at various points. This also included every audio tape, video, dvd, and transcript of his lectures delivered over a lengthy career. He also gave Deva his business and asked her to carry on with it. This book refl ects her desire to continue to disseminate his work as widely as possible. In Essays on Evolutionary Astrology: The Evolutionary Journey of The Soul there is a combination of transcribed lectures with parts of various manuscripts, most of which has never been in print before.