Neither Gods Nor Beasts: How Science Is Changing Who We Think We Are - Hardcover

Elof Axel Carlson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0879697865 ISBN 13: 9780879697860

Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Press, 2008

Synopsis

Traditional views of human nature focus on the supernatural, defining us as creatures with souls, minds, and spirits that transcend our physical attributes. In this provocative book, distinguished scientist and historian Elof Axel Carlson argues for a different understanding of ourselves based on our biology-cellular organization, genetics, life cycle, evolution, and our origins as a species. This interpretation would not negate our capacity for imagination, spiritual and emotional yearnings, or aesthetic appreciation for art, music, and literature. Carlson challenges educators, the media, and public policy makers to integrate the evidence from science more fully into our understanding of ourselves. Contents: Preface; 1. Introduction; PART I: HUMANITY IN A UNIVERSE WITH LITTLE OR NO SCIENCE; 2. Living on Automatic Pilot; 3. Between Gods and Beasts; 4. Negative Views of Our Animal Aspects; 5. Mind, Souls, Ideals, and the Ephemeral; PART II: CONFRONTING OUR BIOLOGY; 6. Biology Becomes Mechanistic and Emerges as a Science; 7. The Human Body is Composed of Cells; 8. The Body Has an Evolutionary History; 9. Most Human Traits Are Determined by Genes and There Is a Molecular Basis to Life; 10. We Have a Life Cycle that Is Genetically Programmed and That Determines Our Sexuality; 11. Neurobiology Reveals How the Brain Works; PART III: HOW SHOULD WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM?; 12. The Blank Slate Fallacy, the Human Nature Fallacy, and the Biological Determinism Fallacy; 13. Human Nature as Potentials for Forming Communities; 14. Biology Enriches Our Appreciation of the Humanities; 15. Moral Values Bind a Community; 16. The Human Condition Changes Every Generation and Reshapes Our World Views; 17. Rethinking Science Teaching; 18. A Human Outlook for the Third Millennium; Index. Note from the Publisher: You may also be interested in the following titles: Times of Triumph, Times of Doubt: Science and the Battle for Public Trust; The Unfit: A History of a Bad Idea; and Mendel's Legacy: The Origin of Classical Genetics.

About this title

Review

This work by scientist and historian Carlson (State Univ. of NY at Stony Brook) has a number of virtues. The first is his wish to address the notion that humans share so much with all other life, but differ in possessing reason. Second is his excellent account of the history and development of modern biology. Finally, Carlson looks at his vision of the future in terms of the interaction of society and science. In essence, he considers where humans should go and how absolutely critical the knowledge of science is for the developing millennium. Science plays a dominant role in the political arena, in the way religion and governments interact, and in the very personal way in which individual health is achieved. The basic tenets of most religions are at least similar, and perhaps science will help bring them together. Particularly well done is the author's examination of the current political stance, the way society uses resources and humankind's apparent difficulty in adapting to the changes in the world, with and without the public's conscious input. Carlson approaches the topic with understanding and wit, not criticizing anyone for their beliefs, at least openly. Well done. Choice

Edition details

• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879697865
• ISBN 13: 9780879697860
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200