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The Resource Homo mysterious : evolutionary puzzles of human nature, David P. Barash

Homo mysterious : evolutionary puzzles of human nature, David P. Barash

Creator
Summary
Overview: For all that science knows about the living world, notes David P. Barash, there are even more things that we don't know, genuine evolutionary mysteries that perplex the best minds in biology. Paradoxically, many of these mysteries are very close to home, involving some of the most personal aspects of being human. Homo Mysterious examines a number of these evolutionary mysteries, exploring things that we don't yet know about ourselves, laying out the best current hypotheses, and pointing toward insights that scientists are just beginning to glimpse. Why do women experience orgasm? Why do men have a shorter lifespan than women? Why does homosexuality exist? Why does religion exist in virtually every culture? Why do we have a fondness for the arts? Why do we have such large brains? And why does consciousness exist? Readers are plunged into an ocean of unknowns-the blank spots on the human evolutionary map, the terra incognita of our own species-and are introduced to the major hypotheses that currently occupy scientists who are attempting to unravel each puzzle (including some solutions proposed here for the first time). Throughout the book, readers are invited to share the thrill of science at its cutting edge, a place where we know what we don't know, and, moreover, where we know enough to come up with some compelling and seductive explanations. Homo Mysterious is a guide to creative thought and future explorations, based on the best, most current thinking by evolutionary scientists. It captures the allure of the "not-yet-known" for those interested in stretching their scientific imaginations
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
329 pages
Contents
  • In praise of mystery : "That's how the light gets in"
  • Sexual mysteries. 1, Menstruation, concealed ovulation and breasts
  • Sexual mysteries. 2, Female orgasm, menopause, and men
  • Sexual mysteries. 3, Homosexuality
  • Art. 1, Cheesecake, by-products, and groups
  • Art. 2, Play, practice, and sex (again)
  • Religion. 1, Genes, memes, minds, and motives
  • Religion. 2, Social bonding and morality
  • On the matter of mind
  • Digging for treasure
Isbn
9780199751945
Instance
Label
Homo mysterious : evolutionary puzzles of human nature
Title
Homo mysterious
Title remainder
evolutionary puzzles of human nature
Statement of responsibility
David P. Barash
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
Overview: For all that science knows about the living world, notes David P. Barash, there are even more things that we don't know, genuine evolutionary mysteries that perplex the best minds in biology. Paradoxically, many of these mysteries are very close to home, involving some of the most personal aspects of being human. Homo Mysterious examines a number of these evolutionary mysteries, exploring things that we don't yet know about ourselves, laying out the best current hypotheses, and pointing toward insights that scientists are just beginning to glimpse. Why do women experience orgasm? Why do men have a shorter lifespan than women? Why does homosexuality exist? Why does religion exist in virtually every culture? Why do we have a fondness for the arts? Why do we have such large brains? And why does consciousness exist? Readers are plunged into an ocean of unknowns-the blank spots on the human evolutionary map, the terra incognita of our own species-and are introduced to the major hypotheses that currently occupy scientists who are attempting to unravel each puzzle (including some solutions proposed here for the first time). Throughout the book, readers are invited to share the thrill of science at its cutting edge, a place where we know what we don't know, and, moreover, where we know enough to come up with some compelling and seductive explanations. Homo Mysterious is a guide to creative thought and future explorations, based on the best, most current thinking by evolutionary scientists. It captures the allure of the "not-yet-known" for those interested in stretching their scientific imaginations
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Barash, David P
Dewey number
303.4
Index
index present
LC call number
GN281
LC item number
.B36 2012
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
NLM call number
  • 2012 G-572
  • GN 281
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Human evolution
  • Social evolution
  • Evolution (Biology)
  • Sex (Biology)
  • Sociobiology
  • Hominidae
  • Social Behavior
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Cultural Evolution
  • Religion
  • Sociobiology
  • Evolution (Biology)
  • Human evolution
  • Sex (Biology)
  • Social evolution
  • Sociobiology
  • Mensch
  • Evolution
  • Antinomie
  • Verhalten
  • Soziobiologie
  • Evolutionstheorie
  • Human evolution
  • Social evolution
  • Evolution (Biology)
  • Sex (Biology)
  • Sociobiology
Label
Homo mysterious : evolutionary puzzles of human nature, David P. Barash
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
In praise of mystery : "That's how the light gets in" -- Sexual mysteries. 1, Menstruation, concealed ovulation and breasts -- Sexual mysteries. 2, Female orgasm, menopause, and men -- Sexual mysteries. 3, Homosexuality -- Art. 1, Cheesecake, by-products, and groups -- Art. 2, Play, practice, and sex (again) -- Religion. 1, Genes, memes, minds, and motives -- Religion. 2, Social bonding and morality -- On the matter of mind -- Digging for treasure
Control code
ocn760176360
Dimensions
24 cm
Extent
329 pages
Isbn
9780199751945
Lccn
2011044302
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
  • (Sirsi) i9780199751945
  • (OCoLC)760176360
Label
Homo mysterious : evolutionary puzzles of human nature, David P. Barash
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
In praise of mystery : "That's how the light gets in" -- Sexual mysteries. 1, Menstruation, concealed ovulation and breasts -- Sexual mysteries. 2, Female orgasm, menopause, and men -- Sexual mysteries. 3, Homosexuality -- Art. 1, Cheesecake, by-products, and groups -- Art. 2, Play, practice, and sex (again) -- Religion. 1, Genes, memes, minds, and motives -- Religion. 2, Social bonding and morality -- On the matter of mind -- Digging for treasure
Control code
ocn760176360
Dimensions
24 cm
Extent
329 pages
Isbn
9780199751945
Lccn
2011044302
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
  • (Sirsi) i9780199751945
  • (OCoLC)760176360

Subject

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