Homo Mysterious, David P. Barash
Homo Mysterious, David P. Barash
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Homo Mysterious
Evolutionary Puzzles of Human Nature

Author: David P. Barash

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Unabridged: 11 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/30/2018


Synopsis

For all that science knows about the living world, notes David P. Barash, there are even more things that we don't know, genuine evolutionary mysteries that perplex the best minds in biology. Paradoxically, many of these mysteries are very close to home, involving some of the most personal aspects of being human.

Homo Mysterious examines a number of these evolutionary mysteries, exploring things that we don't yet know about ourselves, laying out the best current hypotheses, and pointing toward insights that scientists are just beginning to glimpse. Why do women experience orgasm? Why do men have a shorter lifespan than women? Why does homosexuality exist? Why does religion exist in virtually every culture? Why do we have a fondness for the arts? Why do we have such large brains? And why does consciousness exist? Listeners are plunged into an ocean of unknowns—the blank spots on the human evolutionary map, the terra incognita of our own species—and are introduced to the major hypotheses that currently occupy scientists who are attempting to unravel each puzzle (including some solutions proposed here for the first time). Throughout the book, readers are invited to share the thrill of science at its cutting edge, a place where we know what we don't know, and, moreover, where we know enough to come up with some compelling and seductive explanations.

Homo Mysterious is a guide to creative thought and future explorations, based on the best, most current thinking by evolutionary scientists. It captures the allure of the "not-yet-known" for those interested in stretching their scientific imaginations.

About David P. Barash

David P. Barash is an evolutionary biologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington. He has written more than 280 peer-reviewed articles and nearly forty books. Barash has penned op-eds in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune, as well as numerous pieces in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Nautilus, and aeon.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brian on September 22, 2012

There is an interesting premise (and a dubious assumption) underlying this book. The premise is that some of the most interesting bits of science are the bits where we don’t actually know the answers – in this case, in the ‘evolutionary puzzles of human nature’ to quote the subtitle. The dubious bit......more

Goodreads review by Ron on February 14, 2020

David Barash tries to shed light on various issues of human biology, issues such as why do women have such large breasts, menstruation, menopause, and homosexuality. He then tries to build cases regarding biological reasons for art, religion, intelligence, and consciousness. He lets the reader know......more

Goodreads review by Joe Q. on May 07, 2016

I had high hopes for this book. The premise is interesting, but the author ultimately ends up presenting one conjecture or speculation after another without much in the way of resolution or consensus. This kind of treatment may be inherent in the subject matter, but one can't help imagining that the......more

Goodreads review by Jack on March 24, 2016

Fascinating subject matter, exuberant (at times bordering on cheesy) humor, and steady momentum characterize the narrative of Homo Mysterious. Despite Mr. Barash's occasional slips into repetitiveness, and his authorial tone coming across as a bit too self-absorbed, this was an enjoyable one-time re......more

Goodreads review by Jess on June 14, 2015

Poorly organized and it dragged on and on......more