The Altruistic Brain: How We Are Naturally Good by Donald W. Pfaff (English) Har

Description: The Altruistic Brain by Donald W. Pfaff The Altruistic Brain uses language accessible to non-scientists so as to present an elegant theory of how human beings are "wired" to produce altruistic behavior in the first instance. That is, it argues that unprompted, spontaneous kindness is a default behavior that comes naturally to human beings on account of evolution, irrespective of religious or cultural determinants in that direction. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Since the beginning of recorded history, law and religion have provided "rules" that define good behavior. When we obey such rules, we assign to some external authority the capacity to determine how we should act. Even anarchists recognize the existence of a choice as to whether or not to obey, since no one has seriously doubted that the source of social order resides in our vast ethical systems. Debate has focused only on whose system is best, never for an instantimagining that law, religion, or some philosophical permutation of either was not the basis of prosocial action. The only divergence from this uniform understanding of human society has come from thebehavioral sciences, which cite various biological bases for human goodness. Putting aside both ancient and relatively modern ethical systems, neuroscientists, psychologists, and evolutionary biologists have started a revolution more profound than any anarchist ever dreamed of. In essence, these researchers argue that the source of good human behavior - of the benevolence that we associate with the highest religious teachings - emanates from our physical make-up. Our brains, hormones, and genesliterally embody our social compasses. In The Altruistic Brain, renowned neuroscientist Donald Pfaff provides the latest, most far-reaching argument in support of this revolution, explaining inexquisite detail how our neuroanatomical structure favors kindness towards others.Unlike any other study in its field, The Altruistic Brain synthesizes all the most important research into how and why - at a purely physical level - humans empathize with one another and respond altruistically. It demonstrates that human beings are "wired" to behave altruistically in the first instance, such that unprompted, spontaneous kindness is our default behavior; such behavior comesnaturally, irrespective of religious or cultural determinants. Based on his own research and that of some of the worlds most eminent scientists, Dr. Pfaff puts together well-established brain mechanisms into atheory that is at once novel but also easily demonstrable. He further explains how, using psycho-social approaches that are now well understood, we can clear away obstacles to the brains natural, altruistic inclinations. This is the first book not only to explain why we are naturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can.The Altruistic Brain is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promisethat it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation. Author Biography Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior,The Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New York Table of Contents PART 1 - EVIDENCE FOR ALTRUISTIC BRAIN THEORYChapter 1 - The Biological/Evolutionary Role of AltruismChapter 2 - Altruistic Brain Theory IntroducedChapter 3 - Primary Neuroscience Research Underlying Each Step of Altruistic Brain TheoryChapter 4 - Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms that Promote Prosocial Behaviors Once the Moral Decision is MadeChapter 5 - New Neuroscience Research: the Theorys Link to An Ethical UniversalPART 2 - IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF THE MORAL BRAIN - REMOVING OBSTACLES TO GOOD BEHAVIORChapter 6 - How Altruistic Brain Theory Changes Our Perceptions of Ourselves and of AltruismChapter 7 - Why the Altruistic Brain Matters: Its Significance to Addressing Individuals Bad BehaviorChapter 8 - Multiplier Effect: from Bad to Worse in a Social SettingChapter 9 - No Easy Answers . . . But No Pessimism Either Review "Pfaff convincingly shows the science of altruism..." --Publishers Weekly"Written in a highly readable style, The Altruistic Brain summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field and offers an excellent starting point for readers who are interested in learning more about the biology and neuroscience of human prosociality." --Science"[A]ccessible to nonscientists." --The ScientistRecommended as a summer read by the Ames Tribune."The book is most useful as a scientific refutation of the idea that human beings are innately selfish or innately cruel. Pfaff musters a great deal of evidence to show that the Christian notion of original sin -- and the capitalist notion of human self-interest as a sole motivating force -- are both unsustainable, at least in their more simplistic forms." --Pacific Standard"In combination with the accessibility to the general reader, Pfaff has done a magnificent job in compiling, reinterpreting, and presenting the neuroscientific evidence available as of today. ... Due to the breadth and range of consequences that the idea of humans having a predisposition for altruistic behavior implicates, the book should be obligatory reading not just for (cognitive) scientists and (moral) philosophers interested in the subject matter buteveryone who is involved in decision-making processes in regard to social and legal policy." --Frontiers in Psychology"In sections worth reading twice, Pfaff posits the neural and hormonal mechanisms that promote prosocial behavior while in another, he takes a hard look at ways in which the altruistic brain deals with individuals bad behavior. In the process he sets aside the traditional Christian idea of original sin as well as the capitalist notion that greed is good." --Spirituality and Practice"On solid scientific ground, [Pfaff] builds a five-step theory of how altruism occurs..." --New Scientist"This is the first book not only to explain why we are naturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can. The Altruistic Brain is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promise that it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation." --BookRiotFeatured in the Financial Times."[A]n impressive compendium of research from evolutionary biology, neuroscience, developmental and social psychology, the biochemistry of hormones, and comparative religion as the basis for the argument that altruism is innate in humans and the Golden Rule is an ethical universal principle. Intended for readers without a science background, The Altruistic Brain is written in a style similar to Malcolm Gladwells books (e.g., David and Goliath,2013). Pfaff presents a wealth of interesting information that would appeal to a wide readership including undergraduate and graduate students." --PsycCRITIQUES"Accessible to a lay audience, this is the only title to treat this topic. It will interest students in neuroscience and psychology in addition to educators and policy makers. Highly recommended." --CHOICE"A splendid read and a real tour de force of brain science, this book proves that altruistic behaviour has the power to shape our brains and, consequently, our destiny -- a revolutionary insight that continues to provide debate among those who care about the future of mans role in the human society. Anyone seeking to learn about the amazing altruistic mechanisms of the human brain should read this book, which excels at spreading enthusiasm for altruisticbehaviour by forging scintillating concepts out of difficult ideas." --The Tribune IndiaFeatured in -Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Promotional Presents an elegant theory of how human beings are "wired" to produce altruistic behavior in the first instance. Long Description Since the beginning of recorded history, law and religion have provided "rules" that define good behavior. When we obey such rules, we assign to some external authority the capacity to determine how we should act. Even anarchists recognize the existence of a choice as to whether or not to obey, since no one has seriously doubted that the source of social order resides in our vast ethical systems. Debate has focused only on whose system is best, never for an instantimagining that law, religion, or some philosophical permutation of either was not the basis of prosocial action. The only divergence from this uniform understanding of human society has come from the behavioral sciences, which cite various biological bases for human goodness. Putting aside bothancient and relatively modern ethical systems, neuroscientists, psychologists, and evolutionary biologists have started a revolution more profound than any anarchist ever dreamed of. In essence, these researchers argue that the source of good human behavior - of the benevolence that we associate with the highest religious teachings - emanates from our physical make-up. Our brains, hormones, and genes literally embody our social compasses. In The Altruistic Brain, renownedneuroscientist Donald Pfaff provides the latest, most far-reaching argument in support of this revolution, explaining in exquisite detail how our neuroanatomical structure favors kindness towards others.Unlike any other study in its field, The Altruistic Brain synthesizes all the most important research into how and why - at a purely physical level - humans empathize with one another and respond altruistically. It demonstrates that human beings are "wired" to behave altruistically in the first instance, such that unprompted, spontaneous kindness is our default behavior; such behavior comes naturally, irrespective of religious or cultural determinants. Based on his own research andthat of some of the worlds most eminent scientists, Dr. Pfaff puts together well-established brain mechanisms into a theory that is at once novel but also easily demonstrable. He further explains how, using psycho-social approaches that are now well understood, we can clear away obstacles to the brainsnatural, altruistic inclinations. This is the first book not only to explain why we are naturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can.The Altruistic Brain is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promise that it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation. Review Text "Pfaff convincingly shows the science of altruism..." --Publishers Weekly"Written in a highly readable style, The Altruistic Brain summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field and offers an excellent starting point for readers who are interested in learning more about the biology and neuroscience of human prosociality." --Science"[A]ccessible to nonscientists." --The ScientistRecommended as a summer read by the Ames Tribune."The book is most useful as a scientific refutation of the idea that human beings are innately selfish or innately cruel. Pfaff musters a great deal of evidence to show that the Christian notion of original sin -- and the capitalist notion of human self-interest as a sole motivating force -- are both unsustainable, at least in their more simplistic forms." --Pacific Standard"In combination with the accessibility to the general reader, Pfaff has done a magnificent job in compiling, reinterpreting, and presenting the neuroscientific evidence available as of today. ... Due to the breadth and range of consequences that the idea of humans having a predisposition for altruistic behavior implicates, the book should be obligatory reading not just for (cognitive) scientists and (moral) philosophers interested in the subject matter buteveryone who is involved in decision-making processes in regard to social and legal policy." --Frontiers in Psychology"In sections worth reading twice, Pfaff posits the neural and hormonal mechanisms that promote prosocial behavior while in another, he takes a hard look at ways in which the altruistic brain deals with individuals bad behavior. In the process he sets aside the traditional Christian idea of original sin as well as the capitalist notion that greed is good." --Spirituality and Practice"On solid scientific ground, [Pfaff] builds a five-step theory of how altruism occurs..." --New Scientist"This is the first book not only to explain why we are naturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can. The Altruistic Brain is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promise that it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation." --BookRiotFeatured in the Financial Times."[A]n impressive compendium of research from evolutionary biology, neuroscience, developmental and social psychology, the biochemistry of hormones, and comparative religion as the basis for the argument that altruism is innate in humans and the Golden Rule is an ethical universal principle. Intended for readers without a science background, The Altruistic Brain is written in a style similar to Malcolm Gladwells books (e.g., David and Goliath,2013). Pfaff presents a wealth of interesting information that would appeal to a wide readership including undergraduate and graduate students." --PsycCRITIQUES"Accessible to a lay audience, this is the only title to treat this topic. It will interest students in neuroscience and psychology in addition to educators and policy makers. Highly recommended." --CHOICE Review Quote "Pfaff convincingly shows the science of altruism..." --Publishers Weekly "Written in a highly readable style, The Altruistic Brain summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field and offers an excellent starting point for readers who are interested in learning more about the biology and neuroscience of human prosociality." --Science "[A]ccessible to nonscientists." --The Scientist Recommended as a summer read by the Ames Tribune. "The book is most useful as a scientific refutation of the idea that human beings are innately selfish or innately cruel. Pfaff musters a great deal of evidence to show that the Christian notion of original sin -- and the capitalist notion of human self-interest as a sole motivating force -- are both unsustainable, at least in their more simplistic forms." --Pacific Standard "In combination with the accessibility to the general reader, Pfaff has done a magnificent job in compiling, reinterpreting, and presenting the neuroscientific evidence available as of today. ... Due to the breadth and range of consequences that the idea of humans having a predisposition for altruistic behavior implicates, the book should be obligatory reading not just for (cognitive) scientists and (moral) philosophers interested in the subject matter but everyone who is involved in decision-making processes in regard to social and legal policy." --Frontiers in Psychology "In sections worth reading twice, Pfaff posits the neural and hormonal mechanisms that promote prosocial behavior while in another, he takes a hard look at ways in which the altruistic brain deals with individuals bad behavior. In the process he sets aside the traditional Christian idea of original sin as well as the capitalist notion that greed is good." --Spirituality and Practice "On solid scientific ground, [Pfaff] builds a five-step theory of how altruism occurs..." --New Scientist "This is the first book not only to explain why we are naturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can. The Altruistic Brain is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promise that it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation." --BookRiot Featured in the Financial Times. "[A]n impressive compendium of research from evolutionary biology, neuroscience, developmental and social psychology, the biochemistry of hormones, and comparative religion as the basis for the argument that altruism is innate in humans and the Golden Rule is an ethical universal principle. Intended for readers without a science background, The Altruistic Brain is written in a style similar to Malcolm Gladwells books (e.g., David and Goliath, 2013). Pfaff presents a wealth of interesting information that would appeal to a wide readership including undergraduate and graduate students." --PsycCRITIQUES "Accessible to a lay audience, this is the only title to treat this topic. It will interest students in neuroscience and psychology in addition to educators and policy makers. Highly recommended." --CHOICE "A splendid read and a real tour de force of brain science, this book proves that altruistic behaviour has the power to shape our brains and, consequently, our destiny -- a revolutionary insight that continues to provide debate among those who care about the future of mans role in the human society. Anyone seeking to learn about the amazing altruistic mechanisms of the human brain should read this book, which excels at spreading enthusiasm for altruistic behaviour by forging scintillating concepts out of difficult ideas." --The Tribune India Featured in -Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Feature Selling point: Explains neuroscience of altruism to non-scientistsSelling point: Covers actual, step-by-step nerve cell mechanisms for altruism in readable formSelling point: Relates these mechanisms to current events, real human concerns Details ISBN0199377464 Year 2014 ISBN-10 0199377464 ISBN-13 9780199377466 Format Hardcover Media Book DEWEY 612.823 Illustrations illustrations Author Donald W. Pfaff Birth 1939 Short Title ALTRUISTIC BRAIN Language English Subtitle How We Are Naturally Good Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States UK Release Date 2014-12-18 NZ Release Date 2014-12-18 US Release Date 2014-12-18 Publisher Oxford University Press Inc Publication Date 2014-12-18 Imprint Oxford University Press Inc Audience Tertiary & Higher Education AU Release Date 2014-12-10 Pages 306 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:102014335;

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