The Eternal Child: An Explosive New Theory of Human Origins and Behaviour - Softcover

Bromhall, Dr Clive

4.14

28 ratings by Goodreads

9780091894429: The Eternal Child: An Explosive New Theory of Human Origins and Behaviour

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091894425 ISBN 13: 9780091894429

Publisher: Ebury Press, 2004

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Clive Bromhall's ground-breaking book is the story of a single evolutionary process which has shaped the human species. The process, known as 'neoteny', has been massively underestimated by scientists until now. It explains everything from our hairless skin to our upright stance and, argues Bromhall, unlocks the key to human nature and to the future of homo sapiens.

The human species, says Bromhall - radically but convincingly - has anatomically and behaviourally regressed into a state of permanent childhood. Humans are not in fact mature primates, but rather over-grown baby apes. In essence, in order to survive in our environment, in order to create a social species and allow our brains to develop, our species has been completely 'infantised'. With this key Clive Bromhall proceeds to unlock many of the mysteries of human behaviour and forces us to reassess our thinking on human nature, and the power of the child within.

The result of years of research, The Eternal Child is thought-provoking and highly readable and will explain mysteries such as why some of us are homosexual, the differences between races, the need for religion and the dynamic of male/female relationships.

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Review:

"Fascinating stuff" (Independent)

"A rip-roaring read, packed with fascinating facts, ingenious ideas and provocative speculation" (Professor D MacDonald, Oxford University)

"An exciting and important book. Bromhall is a major new voice, with a valuable contribution to the understanding of human evolution" (Desmond Morris)

"Brimming with novel and challenging ideas" (Robin Dunbar)

From the Publisher:

A seminal and highly controversial popular science title in the tradition of The Naked Ape

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