Melvin Konner Livres

Examines such problems as the high cost of health care, the channeling of funds to high-tech research instead of prevention programs, the medical insurance gap, and other critical issues

This book is an intellectual tour de force: a comprehensive Darwinian interpretation of human development. Looking at the entire range of human evolutionary history, Melvin Konner tells the compelling and complex story of how cross-cultural and universal characteristics of our growth from infancy to adolescence became rooted in genetically inherited characteristics of the human brain. All study of our evolution starts with one simple truth: human beings take an extraordinarily long time to grow up. What does this extended period of dependency have to do with human brain growth and social interactions? And why is play a sign of cognitive complexity, and a spur for cultural evolution? As Konner explores these questions, and topics ranging from bipedal walking to incest taboos, he firmly lays the foundations of psychology in biology. As his book eloquently explains, human learning and the greatest human intellectual accomplishments are rooted in our inherited capacity for attachments to each other. In our love of those we learn from, we find our way as individuals and as a species. Never before has this intersection of the biology and psychology of childhood been so brilliantly described. "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution," wrote Dobzhansky. In this remarkable book, Melvin Konner shows that nothing in childhood makes sense except in the light of evolution.

An anthropologist examines the nature of religiosity and how it shapes and benefits humankind.

Exploring the evolution of gender relationships, Melvin Konner utilizes vivid examples from nature, such as the octopus and black widow spider, to illustrate the biological differences between women and men. He examines how certain species can change sex, highlighting the complexities and exceptions that challenge traditional male/female roles. This anthropological perspective offers insights into human identity and the intricate dynamics of gender.

Exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish life, this book delves into cultural practices and societal changes from birth to death. It examines the evolution of Jewish identity through various lenses, such as physicality and appearance, highlighting the journey from traditional roles to contemporary issues. By addressing both historical and modern aspects, it offers a nuanced perspective on the Jewish experience, blending humor with insightful commentary on identity and community.

A short, lively argument for the natural superiority of women.

Assesses the influence of human genetics on personality and behavior, and discusses human sexuality, childbirth, customs, mental illness, depression, utopian ideals, lobotomies, and criminal behavior