The Human Instinct, Kenneth R. Miller
The Human Instinct, Kenneth R. Miller
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The Human Instinct
How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will

Author: Kenneth R. Miller

Narrator: Fred Sanders

Unabridged: 10 hr 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/17/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

From one of America’s best-known biologists, a revolutionary new way of thinking about evolution that shows “why, in light of our origins, humans are still special” (Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Evolution).

Once we had a special place in the hierarchy of life on Earth—a place confirmed by the literature and traditions of every human tribe. But then the theory of evolution arrived to shake the tree of human understanding to its roots. To many of the most passionate advocates for Darwin’s theory, we are just one species among multitudes, no more significant than any other. Even our minds are not our own, they tell us, but living machines programmed for nothing but survival and reproduction.

In The Human Instinct, Brown University biologist Kenneth R. Miller “confronts both lay and professional misconceptions about evolution” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), showing that while evolution explains how our bodies and brains were shaped, that heritage does not limit or predetermine human behavior. In fact, Miller argues in this “highly recommended” (Forbes) work that it is only thanks to evolution that we have the power to shape our destiny.

Equal parts natural science and philosophy, The Human Instinct makes an “absorbing, lucid, and engaging…case that it was evolution that gave us our humanity” (Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis).

About Kenneth R. Miller

Kenneth R. Miller is professor of biology at Brown University and the critically acclaimed bestselling author of Only a TheoryFinding Darwin’s God, and The Human Instinct. He has appeared frequently on radio and television as a public advocate for evolution. In 2005 he was the lead expert witness for the victorious plaintiffs in the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover trial, where he testified in favor of evolution and against “intelligent design.” Among his honors are the Stephen Jay Gould Prize from the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame, and the Award for Public Engagement with Science from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Graeme on December 16, 2018

This book delved into the subject of evolutionary psychology, the idea that our brains, just like our bodies, are primarily molded by evolutionary forces. Example: you aren’t nice to other people because you’re a good person. You’re nice to others because those who treat people well tend not to be t......more

Goodreads review by Beauregard on July 01, 2018

Man is special, creationist will say because God (Jehovah) created him in His Own image and thus allows man to stand apart from nature. The author will say that evolution through natural selection makes us significant, meaningful and special from and within nature and that we are more than just form......more

Goodreads review by Stuart on April 26, 2020

An excellent study of the evolution of consciousness and the limitations of deterministic thinking Having read several books on evolutional biology, human prehistory, and the development of consciousness, I found think book to be one of the best discussions of the debate over a purely deterministic v......more

Goodreads review by Nelson on May 12, 2022

Miller has spent the last few decades defending the science behind the theory of evolution in court, arguing against creationists and intelligent design advocates. For those who might still have doubts about evolution, namely be squeamish when they hear that "it's all just a theory", Miller does a g......more

Goodreads review by Fariba on November 18, 2017

In 2000, biologist Randy Thornhill and anthropologist Craig Palmer offered an evolutionary explanation for the presence of rape in the human population. In their book titled A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion, Thornhill and Palmer argued that rape was a direct product of......more


Quotes

 “Following in Darwin’s footsteps, Miller makes the slam-dunk case for why, in light of our origins, humans are still special.”

“Absorbing, lucid, and engaging. An ELOQUENT and deeply grounded case that it was evolution that gave us our humanity.”

“Here is a clear-eyed look at the use and sometime misuse of evolutionary theory.”

“Fascinating.... [The Human Instinct] confronts both lay and professional misconceptions about evolution from both scientific and philosophical perspectives.”

“Insightful.... [Miller’s] universe is a kaleidoscope of dazzling evolutionary possibilities.”