The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will

Book is in good condition! There is light wear from use. There is a white sticker inside the back cover. The pages are clean with no marks.

An exploration of the origins of human reason, consciousness, and free will is presented in a radical and optimistic manner. Recently, proponents of the theory of evolution have tended to present it in a negative light. Renowned scientists like Richard Dawkins, Lawrence Krauss, and Sam Harris assert that our most personal actions, thoughts, and values are merely products of mindless adaptation over countless generations. They argue that as just one species among many, we hold no greater significance than any other living creature. Kenneth R. Miller, a biologist at Brown University, challenges this perspective, contending that it reflects a profound misunderstanding of evolution. While natural selection certainly accounts for the shaping of our bodies and brains, Miller maintains that it does not provide a comprehensive explanation for social or cultural phenomena. In his book, The Human Instinct, he rejects the notion that our biological heritage renders our thoughts, actions, and imagination predetermined, instead tracing the path that ultimately led to reason, consciousness, and free will. According to Miller, a proper grasp of evolution reveals the extraordinary uniqueness of humankind: we belong both among the diverse array of creatures we have evolved alongside and in the distinct realm of self-awareness and understanding that we alone occupy in the vast universe. Combining natural science and philosophy, The Human Instinct offers a profound and inspiring celebration of our inherent human qualities.