Alas, Poor Darwin: arguments against Evolutionary Psychology

by HILARY ROSE (Editor), Steven Rose (Editor)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2000

  $3.25

  At the beginning of the 21st century genes are used to explain almost every aspect of human life, from social inequalities to health, sexuality and criminality. This book offers a crticism of this so called evolutionary psychology, arguing that it rests on shaky empirical evidence, flawed premises and unexamined political presuppositions. The editors have gathered together some of the most eminent and outspoken critics of this fashionable ideology.

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $3.25

  Today, genes are called upon to explain almost every aspect of our lives, from social inequalities to health, sexual preference and criminality. Based on Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection, Evolutionary Psychology with its claim that 'it's all in our genes' has become the most popular scientific theory of the late 20th century. Books such as Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene, Edward O.Wilson's Consilience and Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct have become bestsellers and frame the public debate on human life and development: we can see their influence as soon as we open a Sunday newspaper. In recent years, however, many biologists and social scientists have begun to contest this new biological determinism and shown that Evolutionary Psychology rests on shaky empirical evidence, flawed premises and unexamined political presuppositions. In this provocative and ground-breaking book, Hilary and Steven Rose have gathered together the most eminent and outspoken critics of this fashionable ideology, ranging from Stephen Jay Gould and Patrick Bateson to Mary Midgley, Tim Ingold and Annette Karmiloff-Smith. What emerges is a new perspective on human development which acknowledges the complexity of life by placing at its centre the living organism rather than the gene.