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The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will Audiobook
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From one of America’s best-known biologists, a revolutionary new way of thinking about evolution that shows “why, in light of our origins, humans are still special” (Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Evolution).
Once we had a special place in the hierarchy of life on Earth—a place confirmed by the literature and traditions of every human tribe. But then the theory of evolution arrived to shake the tree of human understanding to its roots. To many of the most passionate advocates for Darwin’s theory, we are just one species among multitudes, no more significant than any other. Even our minds are not our own, they tell us, but living machines programmed for nothing but survival and reproduction.
In The Human Instinct, Brown University biologist Kenneth R. Miller “confronts both lay and professional misconceptions about evolution” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), showing that while evolution explains how our bodies and brains were shaped, that heritage does not limit or predetermine human behavior. In fact, Miller argues in this “highly recommended” (Forbes) work that it is only thanks to evolution that we have the power to shape our destiny.
Equal parts natural science and philosophy, The Human Instinct makes an “absorbing, lucid, and engaging…case that it was evolution that gave us our humanity” (Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis).
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“Readers seeking a modification of doctrinaire Darwinism will find a thoughtful, scientifically sound, evolution-based exponent in Miller.”
— Booklist
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“Following in Darwin’s footsteps, Miller makes the slam-dunk case for why, in light of our origins, humans are still special.”
— Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author -
“Absorbing, lucid, and engaging. An eloquent and deeply grounded case that it was evolution that gave us our humanity.”
— Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University, St. Louis -
“Fascinating…Confronts both lay and professional misconceptions about evolution from both scientific and philosophical perspectives.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Insightful….[Miller’s] universe is a kaleidoscope of dazzling evolutionary possibilities.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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About Kenneth R. Miller
Kenneth R. Miller is professor of biology at Brown University and a critically acclaimed bestselling author. He serves as a science advisor to The News Hour on PBS and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Among his honors are the Stephen Jay Gould Prize from the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University, and the Award for Public Engagement with Science from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
About Fred Sanders
Fred Sanders, an actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has received critics’ praise for his audio narrations that range from nonfiction, memoir, and fiction to mystery and suspense. He been seen on Broadway in The Buddy Holly Story, in national tours for Driving Miss Daisy and Big River, and on such television shows as Seinfeld, The West Wing, Will and Grace, Numb3rs,Titus, and Malcolm in the Middle. His films include Sea of Love, The Shadow, and the Oscar-nominated short Culture. He is a native New Yorker and Yale graduate.