1. The alien's challenge; 2. Darwin comes to mind; 3. The SeXX/XY animal; 4. The dating, mating, baby-making animal; 5. The altruistic animal; 6. The cultural animal; Appendix A: how to win an argument with a blank slater; Appendix B: how to win an argument with an anti-memeticist.
Uses evolutionary psychology and cultural evolutionary theory to explain the mysteries of the human mind to an alien scientist.
Steve Stewart-Williams is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus. His research and writing revolve around the idea that theories from evolutionary biology can shed light on the human mind and behavior, focusing especially on sex differences and altruism. He also has a long-standing interest in the philosophical implications of evolutionary theory. His first book, Darwin, God and the Meaning of Life (Cambridge), was published in 2010.
'In The Ape that Understood the Universe, evolutionary psychologist
Steve Stewart-Williams provides a masterful account of how the mind
and culture evolve. Stewart-Williams is an exceptionally good
writer, a witty and learned guide through challenging but exciting
terrain that includes psychology, biology, anthropology,
philosophy, and animal behavior. The Ape that Understood the
Universe is a rare accomplishment: equal parts intellectual
exhilaration and beautifully crafted narrative. Read this book for
its literary grace, and learn along the way why you are an ape that
can understand the universe.' Todd Shackelford, Oakland University,
Michigan
'A great introduction to human nature - whether you're a member of
our species or an alien scientist puzzled by this planet's dominant
life-form. Stewart-Williams shows how genes and memes entwine to
explain our deepest concerns and our highest aspirations. This fun,
easy-going, science-savvy book will make you smarter about your
emotions, your relationships, and your society.' Geoffrey Miller,
author of The Mating Mind, Spent and Mate
'This is a highly imaginative (and solidly informed) book about the
nature of human nature - who we really are. Stewart-Williams has a
firm grip on the latest data in evolutionary psychology and
cultural evolution, all elegantly woven into a fine narrative
packed with provocative (and astute) ideas. It's an insightful,
accurate and refreshingly amusing read.' Helen Fisher, author of
Anatomy of Love and Why Him? Why Her?
'An eloquent and elegant exploration of human nature in the light
of evolution, illuminating many modern social and political
dilemmas.' Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen and Nature via
Nurture
'If you hate the idea of selfish genes, this book should change
your mind. With vivid examples and fascinating evidence,
Stewart-Williams provides a powerful challenge to the 'culture is
all' lobby. The best update of the gene's-eye view I have seen for
a long time. This book will turn your view of human nature inside
out and upside down.' Susan Blackmore, author of The Meme Machine
and Consciousness: An Introduction
'In The Ape that Understood the Universe, Steve Stewart-Williams
takes the reader from first principles to a deep understanding of
the evolutionary and cultural underpinnings of human behavior. Not
only has Stewart-Williams produced a work of deep understanding, he
has also produced one which is a real page turner. A
twenty-first-century successor to The Selfish Gene.' Lance Workman,
co-author of Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction
'Although there are many books covering evolutionary approaches to
the human mind and behavior, this is one of the best, in terms of
its choice of topics, insightful coverage, knowledge of the
subject-matter, and quality of writing. I enthusiastically
recommend it both to those familiar with the area and to
newcomers.' John Archer, University of Central Lancashire
'This is a fantastically comprehensive, clear, and highly
entertaining sweep of every important facet of evolutionary
psychology. It does something other books do not do: it presents
the opposing arguments to various evolutionary theories and then
objectively lays out the evidence for why they don't hold up. If
you want to debate the evolution deniers, this is the book for you.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to
understand evolutionary psychology or understand it far better.'
Amy Alkon, science-based syndicated columnist and author of
Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence
'The premise of Steve Stewart-Williams' magnificent contribution to
the scientific study of human nature - an anthropologist from an
alien planet visits Earth and tries to make sense of this bipedal
ape called Homo sapiens - is one of those perspective-shifting
thought experiments that results in readers gaining hitherto
unknown insights into our peculiar species, and buries once and for
all the fatuous blank slate model of humanity that discounts our
deep connectedness to all other animals. A compelling read - I
learned something new on every page.' Michael Shermer, Publisher of
Skeptic, columnist for Scientific American, Presidential Fellow of
Chapman University and author of Heavens on Earth: The Scientific
Search for the Afterlife, Immortality, and Utopia
'This book is nothing short of brilliant, unpacking both the
profound and the ridiculous in our emerging picture of human nature
and cultural evolution. We won't really be the ape that understood
the universe until we understand ourselves, and Steve
Stewart-Williams has drawn us an irreplaceable roadmap.' Baba
Brinkman, Science Rapper
'This is an engaging, intriguing, and ultimately most satisfying
look into what the human mind can do and how it got that way.' G.
T. Dempsey, Geolounge (www.geolounge.com)
'My response to Stewart-Williams's book was 'Damn, this is good!'
Frankly, whether you are [an] advocate or detractor you should
acquaint yourself with this book - love it or loathe it you will
learn a lot from reading it. And you will find that reading to be a
captivating, page-turning, voyage of discovery. Stewart-Williams is
not only an experienced evolutionary psychologist but also a
talented and insightful writer with a memorable turn of phrase.'
Lance Workman, The Psychologist
“A strength of the book is its writing style. The book is written
with verve. It's playful, lighthearted, crisp, fast-paced, and yet
accurate and concise. A reader can distill the basic foundations
and examples of evolutionary psychology and cultural evolutionary
theory here while enjoying the ride (read), whether or not they
believe in aliens. I would recommend this book over older popular
treatments of evolutionary psychology, or, say, Dawkins's 1976
classic The Selfish Gene … If said aliens nabbed Stewart-Williams
and this book, they would find a sharp, fun, contemporary, succinct
overview that best represents evolutionary psychology and also
covers the basics of cultural evolutionary theory.' Peter Gray,
Human Nature
'Stewart-Williams succeeds in exposing the oddities in our behavior
that do, in fact, require explanation … The Ape that Understood the
Universe is a thrilling review of our best explanations of human
behavior at a time when such theories are under attack … for those
who are open to having their politically correct preconceptions
challenged, The Ape that Understood the Universe is a wonderful
entry point into learning how the scientific method works - it
doesn't care what you believe, nor what you wish were true.' Logan
Chipkin, Aero
'Simply put, The Ape That Understood the Universe is a
thorough, readable, and indispensable guide to the human species
and how it operates.' Robert Verbruggen, The American Conservative
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