Beyond Evolution: Human Nature and the Limits of Evolutionary Explanation - Couverture souple

O'Hear, Anthony

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0198250045 ISBN 13 : 9780198250043

Editeur : Oxford University Press, USA, 1999

Synopsis

Beyond Evolution Anthony O'Hear takes a stand against the fashion for explaining human behaviour in terms of evolution. He argues that evolutionary theory, successful as it is in explaining the development of living things, cannot give a satisfactory account of such distinctive facets of human life as self-consciousness, the quest for knowledge, and more. Full description

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Anthony O'Hear takes a stand against the fashion for explaining human behaviour in terms of evolution. He maintains, controversially, that while the theory of evolution is successful in explaining the development of the natural world in general, it is of limited value when applied to the human world. Because of our reflectiveness and our rationality we take on goals and ideals which cannot be justified in terms of survival-promotion or reproductive advantage. O'Hear examines the nature of human self-consciousness, and argues that evolutionary theory cannot give a satisfactory account of such distinctive facets of human life as the quest for knowledge, moral sense, and the appreciation of beauty; in these we transcend our biological origins. It is our rationality that allows each of us to go beyond not only our biological but also our cultural inheritance: as the author says in the Preface, 'we are prisoners neither of our genes nor of the ideas we encounter as we each make our personal and individual way through life'.

Revue de presse

a valuable addition to literature on evolutionary philosophy. (Nicholas Agar, Mind, Vol.110, No.438, April 2001)

O'Hear has used formidable learning to bring together a mass of comment bearing on his initial question. (Professor S. A. Barnett, Interdisciplinary Science Reviews)

O'Hear's wide-ranging discussion clearly characterizes current struggles within the discipline of philosophy and provides, if not a compromise, a resolution to the most central debates. Highly recommended. (H. Storl, Choice)

In that wonderful British tradition of clear, thoughtful and considered philosophy. (Alan Padgett, Books and Culture)

challenging new book ... The line of argument pursued by O'Hear should be apparent, and it is applied with equal deftness to morality and aesthetics ... a profound, subtle and brilliantly argued book. (David S. Oderberg, Spectator)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press, USA
• Date d'édition: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0198250045
• ISBN 13: 9780198250043
• Reliure: Broché
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 232