The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation
by Matt Ridley
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Book Summary Information
Author: Matt RidleyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1998-04-01
ISBN: 0140264450
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Book Reviews of The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation
Book Review: An accessible, well written explanation of human morality.
Summary: 5 Stars
What is enjoyable about reading The Origins of Virtue is that it is not only accessible and interesting to read but eclectic in its reference to human reason of sociability. Whilst prominent and respected biologists work is drawn upon such as Darwin, Hamilton, Dawkins, Jay Gould, Alexander and Manyard Smith, those who have not contributed directly to biological thinking like Rousseau, Smith, Hobbes and Hume are also included to produce a nexus of thoughts on human society. Ridley writes in a style that does not confound the layman with biological jargon and yet does not bore those with a previous knowledge of the subject. The book takes us through each step of the field, from the collaboration of cells to form an organism to the collaboration of organisms to form societies. Much biological thought, such as game theory, is explained clearly and concisely whilst he masterfully illustrates the paradoxes and hypocrisies of our own morality. Yet we do not come away depressed with a sense of each human animal for itself but rather an appreciation of co-operation that socio-biology can sometimes seem to deny us. I would recommend The Origins of Virtue not only because it is extremely well written but also because it opens our eyes somewhat into why we live together and the conflicts that form because of it. Let us hope that Ridley can delight us like this yet again.
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