Man has pondered his origins for thousands of years, but until recently, his only source of ideas consisted of notions drawn from religious teachings and various philosophical systems. Not until modern times, and the arrival of data of a different kind, has he been able to approach the problem of his origins from a new angle. From the Author of The Bible, The Qur'an and Science.
A meticulously clear account of how early ape-men of the African savanna developed into fully human beings. Leakey has always been interested in far more than the mere physical features presented by fossils, and here he is particularly concerned with non-tangible human attributes, such as art, language and consciousness itself. Leakey's personal involvement in many of the key discoveries of hominid fossils, and his friendships and rivalries with his fellow fossil hunters, add more than a dash of spice to his narrative. "An outstanding account of our current understanding of human evolution" Sunday Times "An elegant summary of what is currently known about human evolution" Observer
Leading scholars take stock of Darwin's ideas about human evolution in the light of modern science In 1871, Charles Darwin published The Descent of Man, a companion to Origin of Species in which he attempted to explain human evolution, a topic he called "the highest and most interesting problem for the naturalist." A Most Interesting Problem brings together twelve world-class scholars and science communicators to investigate what Darwin got right—and what he got wrong—about the origin, history, and biological variation of humans. Edited by Jeremy DeSilva and with an introduction by acclaimed Darwin biographer Janet Browne, A Most Interesting Problem draws on the latest discoveries in fields such as genetics, paleontology, bioarchaeology, anthropology, and primatology. This compelling and accessible book tackles the very subjects Darwin explores in Descent, including the evidence for human evolution, our place in the family tree, the origins of civilization, human races, and sex differences. A Most Interesting Problem is a testament to how scientific ideas are tested and how evidence helps to structure our narratives about human origins, showing how some of Darwin's ideas have withstood more than a century of scrutiny while others have not. A Most Interesting Problem features contributions by Janet Browne, Jeremy DeSilva, Holly Dunsworth, Agustín Fuentes, Ann Gibbons, Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Brian Hare, John Hawks, Suzana Herculano-Houzel, Kristina Killgrove, Alice Roberts, and Michael J. Ryan.
New York Times Readers’ Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21st Century New York Times Bestseller A Summer Reading Pick for President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become? Featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.
This volume provides a scientific justification for the optimal formula of social justice through a critical analysis of the basic principles of Marxism. While interest in Marxism is particularly prevalent in China today, the theory developed here concerning the origins and evolution of man will be of interest to everyone, and will help to contextualise questions of social justice within a scientific framework. By providing a new interpretation of Hegelian thought, alongside a synthesis of the thinking of Darwin and Marx, the book details a law of the development of society, using notable events from world history, particularly the collapse of the USSR, to verify it.
Drawing from a variety of topics - biology, biblical chronology, and the origin of human language - and showing their relation to one another in solving this question, author Werner Gitt reveals that evolution is not only bad science, it also violates Scripture. Written for the layman, but with a scientific slant, this compelling book devastates Darwinian arguments for the origin of our universe and planet. In helping Christians answer attacks on their faith, Gitt addresses relevant subjects such as: the origin of man, the origin of human language, human behavior, the origin and future of the universe. Book jacket.
Truth is an absolute. It can be ugly and scary or accommodating and soothingly caring. It can start wars and settle peace. No person alive can be defined in anyway without truth being the measuring rod of comparison. Quite often man sways from the truth, because it doesnt side with their wants or views. This book represents the truth of mans origins confirmed by DNA mathematical and scientific facts. Like truth this book brings conclusion to an age-old argument between Clergy and Scientist. A clear explanation of why were all so different when it comes to race, which it effects so many communities of different races living together. A major benefit of this book is that the very beginning of mans history is unveiled in a new light, which will be the talk of many prestigious inner circles of elite social groups and higher arc political policy makers. Majoring student readers of this book will be informed first ahead of their college professors on the new direction of DNAs future of calculating the mutated percentage cells in any genome. Truth! Some people love being first to know secrets. Others being ahead of the game and the readers of this book will have that cutting edge in life.
