The Moral Molecule - Softcover

J. Zak, Paul

3.86

598 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0593067509 ISBN 13: 9780593067505

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2012

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Why are men less faithful than women? Why are some people altruists and others cold-hearted bastards? Why do some businesses succeed while others collapse? In his entertaining and groundbreaking book, Paul Zak answers these essential questions about human nature and the way we live. Oxytocin, a hormone generally associated with childbirth, is present in all of us and can explain the underlying biology of decision making and behavioural trust. Oxytocin is what makes us empathetic, and is therefore the fundamental control mechanism that orchestrates morality. From his unusual 'vampire studies', which involve taking blood from wedding guests to see if the romantic ritual increases oxytocin (it does), to working with US Military troops to balance oxytocin with testosterone, this study takes us from corporate offices to Buddhist monasteries. In doing so Zak demonstrates how businesses and whole economies are affected by oxytocin, and his studies into an oxytocin based drug that could treat autism, anxiety and post-traumatic-stress disorder, show us its potential influence on society as a whole. Vampire Economics will leave you with new knowledge of human nature, and introduces oxytocin - a chemical that influences every aspect of our lives.

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Review:

"Paul Zak tells the remarkable story of how he discovered and explored the biochemistry of sympathy, love and trust with the narrative skill of a novelist. Philosophy, economics and biology have rarely been so entertaining." Matt Ridley, author of Genome "An ancient mammalian molecule prods us to bond with others. Paul Zak offers a most engaging account of this important discovery, bound to overthrow traditional thinking about human behavior, including economics and morality." Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy "Paul Zak's investigations into the best things in life are inspired, rigorous, and tremendous fun. We need more daring economists like him." Tyler Cowen, author of The Great Stagnation and the forthcoming An Economist Gets Lunch

Book Description:

The Moral Molecule takes an entirely fresh scientific look at one of the biggest questions in life: are we born good or evil and exactly what drives the way we behave?

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