by Brian Hare
First published 2021
Brian Hare presents a new theory about human evolution that challenges conventional thinking. Working with his research partner Vanessa Woods, Hare argues that Homo sapiens outlasted Neanderthals and other human species not through superior intelligence or physical strength, but through an exceptional capacity for cooperation. The authors call this process "self-domestication" and trace how our ability to see others as allies enabled remarkable cultural and technological achievements. Hare draws on years of research in evolutionary anthropology to show how our talent for coordination and empathy drove innovation where other primates failed. Yet this same gift creates a dark side. When we view others as outsiders, we can withdraw empathy entirely, making humans both remarkably tolerant and exceptionally cruel. The book connects this evolutionary framework to modern challenges like tribalism and inequality, offering readers insights into both our species' greatest successes and our capacity for violence.
Genres: science, anthropology, evolution, non-fiction, biology, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, non-fiction
272 pages · Paperback · Oneworld Publications