A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion
Thornhill, Randy and Craig T. Palmer
Language: English
Published by MIT Press, Cambridge, MA London, 2000
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Theoria Books, Andover, MA, U.S.A.Theoria Books
AbeBooks seller since June 12, 2016
Condition: Used - As new
£ 38.51
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
251 pp., xvi. NAP. Following the Preface by Margo Wilson, Preface and Acknowledgments, Contents divided into 12 Chapters: (1) "Rape and Evolutionary Theory"; (2) "The Evolution of Sex Differences"; (3) "Why Do Men Rape?"; (4) The Pain and Anguish of Rape"; (5) "Why Have Social Scientists Failed to Darwinize?"; (6) "The Social Science Explanation of Rape"; (7) "Law and Punishment"; (8) "Social Influences on Male Sexuality"; (9) "Educational Programs"; (10) "Barriers"; (11) "Treatment and Recovery:"; (12) "Conclusion"; Notes, pp. 201-208; Glossary, pp. 209-212; References, pp. 213-244; Index, pp, 245-251. Shiny white dustwrapper not price-clipped (no price) with ' RAPE ' in large blurred black letters across middle front cover, with initial title words superimposed in small red letters over the large black lettering; Author names in small black letters across bottom front cover. Book itself red cloth with strong black lettering on spine. Dustwrapper with cosmetic nugatory ruffling across spine ends and lower front cover edge, describing worse than it is: NOW in Brodart mylar for added protection and aesthetic appeal. Essentially an As New copy, as could be found on your favorite Indie bookstore shelf, looking UNREAD, arguably in Gift-Giving Condition.…
Seller Inventory # 003184
- Title
- A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion
- Author
- Thornhill, Randy and Craig T. Palmer
- Publisher
- MIT Press, Cambridge, MA London
- Publication year
- 2000
- Condition
- As New
- Dust jacket
- Fine
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0262201259
- ISBN 13
- 9780262201254
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Printing
- 1st Printing
- Dimensions
- 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall
Although they argue that rape is biological, Thornhill and Palmer do not view it as inevitable. Their recommendations for rape prevention include teaching young males not to rape, punishing rape more severely, and studying the effectiveness of "chemical castration." They also recommend that young women consider the biological causes of rape when making decisions about dress, appearance, and social activities. Rape could cease to exist, they argue, only in a society knowledgeable about its evolutionary causes.
The book includes a useful summary of evolutionary theory and a comparison of evolutionary biology's and social science's explanations of human behavior. The authors argue for the greater explanatory power and practical usefulness of evolutionary biology. The book is sure to stir up discussion both on the specific topic of rape and on the larger issues of how we understand and influence human behavior.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Now two American biologists, Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer, have risked precisely that. Their carefully weighed thesis is that rape is not the culturally learned behaviour of conditioned woman-haters, rather it is a Darwinian adaptation, an instinctive behaviourism typical of males (of many species) seeking to mate and propagate with otherwise unavailable fertile young females. In other words, rape IS sexual.
Predictably, this theory has caused outrage. Feminist lawyers says it gives rapists a "genetic excuse"; feminist academics say it ignores male-on-male rape, and rape of non-fertile females. In response to such expected critiques Thornhill and Palmer have adduced a persuasive mass of evidence from fields as diverse as zoology, psychology and haute couture. And the facts are truly curious. Did you know that women dress more skimpily during ovulation?
This is not a flawless text. It is too reductive. The writing is thick with scientific jargon: you should know the meanings of 'morphological' and 'phenotype' before you start. And sometimes the book becomes a bit of a rant against the "closed minds" of its politically correct opponents. But maybe that is to quibble too much: this is still an exhilarating and exciting book; it is also a very courageous attempt to throw some scientific light on a treacherously murky subject. --Sean Thomas
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Theoria Books
Andover, MA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since June 12, 2016
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Retired academic's reference library with specialization in philosophy, religion, science, and mathematics--all scholarly subject areas; Pre-Socratics to contemporary; biographies; some series collections. General stock also, including fiction, poetry, literary criticism, mysteries, some foreign language, children's, history, sociology, psychology, education. Some signed copies.
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