The Moral Animal: Evolutionary Psychology and Everyday Life

Robert Wright examines a new science that has emerged from the work of evolutionary biologists and the social sciences. Taking the life and work of the evolutionist Charles Darwin as his context, Wright demonstrates how Darwin’s ideas are still relevant today. He retells – from the perspective of evolutionary psychology – the stories of Darwin’s marriage, family life and career. From this paradigm Wright draws conclusions about the structure of people’s most basic preoccupations – sex, ambition, politics, justice – throwing light on the background of these fundamental instincts, showing why they are so important, and explaining how their importance often gives rise to conflicts. This book poses questions about not only the biological bases for morality, but also the biological bases for amorality.