Bittersweet Destiny: The Stormy Evolution of Human Behavior
Language: English
Published by Transaction Publishers, 1995
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Redux Books, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.Redux Books
AbeBooks seller since February 1, 2006
Condition: Used - Very good
£ 11.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Seller Inventory # 51406060019
- Title
- Bittersweet Destiny: The Stormy Evolution of Human Behavior
- Author
- Thiessen, Del
- Publisher
- Transaction Publishers
- Publication year
- 1995
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 156000245X
- ISBN 13
- 9781560002451
- Item weight
- 29 ounces
Bittersweet Destiny combines discourse on the evolution of human behavior with a philosophical perspective. It explores evolutionary theory aimed at determining human behavior. Del Thiessen presents this material against the broad background of everyday life, allowing the reader to see the theory of evolution as it has shaped his or her own behavior. However, he points out that when evolutionary theory is aimed at human behavior, the critics object, and controversy results.
Thiessen argues that nothing in our lives makes sense unless we look at it through a biological lens. We can thereby understand our origin, our affiliation with all animals and plants, and our cultural destination. However, we can also discover a dark side to our destiny―our favoritism to those who share our own genes, our ability to deceive, and our capacity for abuse, rape, and murder. Good, bad, and indifferent, we serve the replication of our DNA. Critics extrapolate evolutionary theory to a wide range of animal species, and even human morphology and physiology, but when the same perspective is applied to human behavior there is strong dissent. What these critics fear, according to Thiessen, is that accepting evolutionary notions about human behavior strikes at the heart of free will, self-determination, and social equality.
Bittersweet Destiny describes the heroic efforts of naturalists Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace to unlock the secrets of evolution. It continues with a vivid description of our fossil history and our chance beginnings. From there the story implicates disease processes in evolution, highlights our rational and irrational nature, focuses on those characteristics of brain evolution and language that make us distinctive, and illustrates our most basic survival and reproductive mechanisms. Thiessen warns the reader that things are as they are no matter what we might wish; we ignore facts and controversy at our own risk. This book will be significant to anthropologists, psychologists, biologists, and sociologists.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Redux Books
Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since February 1, 2006
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 4 to 21 business days | 4 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 5.91 |
Payment methods
Specialty
Antiquarian, First Editions, First Editions-signed, Collectibles, Grand Rapids History, Religious, Science Fiction / Fantasy, AmericanaSeller's business information
Reduxbooks.com
3423 Lousma Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI U.S.A. 49548
Terms of sale
Redux Books guarantees 100% customer satisfaction. If, for any reason, you are not satisfied with your
order, we will issue a total refund for the cost of the book(s) (shipping will not be refunded, unless the
return is the result of an error on our part)upon receipt of the book(s) being returned. All books are
available on a first ordered/first served basis. If you have any questions regarding specific books that
were not covered in the descriptions or citations on abebooks.com, please place a detailed description
of what you are looking for in the are labeled: 'Special Instructions' upon placing an order for a book
and if the book meets your requirements we will ship it. Most orders ship within 48 hours. Please note
that there are some books that are not available for international or expedited delivery due to weight.
Some of these items are also subject to more shipping than quoted. Please ask for delivery costs before
ordering.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Redux Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 1 business day. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.