Review by Choice Review
Most evolutionary theories picture humans as amoral "monads" motivated by self-interest. Tomasello (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany) presents an innovative and well-researched, hypothesized natural history of two key evolutionary steps leading to full-blown morality. Relying on extensive studies of young human children, many studied in his own lab, the author proposes proximate psychological mechanisms of genuine concern for others arising out of strong relations of interdependence. About 400,000 years ago ecological changes demanded that early humans hunt together in dyads in order to avoid hunger and starvation. Trust and care for one's partner became essential for survival. Later, some 150,000 years ago, modern humans evolved psychological skills necessary to construct cultures with behavioral and linguistic norms enabling people to identify members of their group and fight off members of competing out-groups. These proximate mechanisms made possible the emergence of moral emotions of sympathy, resentment, loyalty, and guilt not found in primates but clearly evident in young children. Tomasello's main point is that although altruistic behavior and emotions benefit individuals and groups in the long run, humans display genuinely altruistic behavior intended to benefit the recipient not primarily the giver. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. --Sheila Ann Mason, Concordia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
