Author Description
Human Success: Evolutionary Origins and Ethical Implications examines human success from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, with contributions from leading paleobiologists, anthropologists, geologists, philosophers of science, and ethicists. It considers how the human species grew in success-linked metrics, such as population size and geographical range, and how it came to dominate ecological systems across the globe. It probes whether the consequences of that dominance, such as human-driven climate change and the destruction of biodiversity, mandate a rethinking of the meaning of human success. The essays in this book urge us to reflect on what has led to our apparent evolutionary success―and, most importantly, what this success implies for the future of our species.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the biological and historical drivers of human dominance and questions whether current ecological outcomes necessitate a redefinition of what constitutes success for our species. Grant Ramsey and Hugh Desmond curate a multidisciplinary collection of essays from experts in paleobiology, anthropology, geology, and ethics. The text synthesizes empirical data regarding population growth and geographical expansion with philosophical inquiry to evaluate the long-term viability of human-driven environmental changes.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of evolutionary metrics including population density and global range expansion.
- Interdisciplinary frameworks connecting biological history to modern ethical dilemmas.
- Critical evaluation of human impact on biodiversity and climate stability.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide specific policy prescriptions or technological solutions for climate mitigation.
- It focuses primarily on the conceptual and evolutionary definition of success rather than individual psychological success.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of evolutionary theory and environmental ethics frequently cite this collection as a rigorous synthesis of disparate academic fields. Experts highlight the text for its ability to bridge the gap between descriptive biological history and normative ethical reflection.
Page Count:
344
Publication Date:
2023-04-07
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190096160
ISBN-13:
9780190096168
Science
Ethics
Evolutionary Biology
Philosophy of
Anthropology
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