BB Human Nature After Darwin is a clear, accessible introduction to the implications of the Darwinian revolution for our understanding of human nature. With the beginner firmly in mind, Janet Radcliffe Richards carefully introduces readers to the fundamental questions raised by the Darwinian revolution. By the end of the book readers will be able to: understand and evaluate Darwin's arguments and the implications of Darwinism for our understanding of human nature critically discuss writings by key commentators on Darwinism, such as Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould clearly and confidently appraise the implications of Darwinism for ethical thinking. Key features include activities and exercises enabling readers to monitor their progress throughout the book, chapter summaries, and guides to further reading.

An introduction to the implications of the Darwinian revolution for our understanding of human nature. The book introduces readers to the skills required for thinking critically about human nature. It also encourages readers to develop the skills of doing philosophy for themselves.

Human Nature After Darwin is an original investigation of the implications of Darwinism for our understanding of ourselves and our situation. It casts new light on current Darwinian controversies, and in doing so provides an introduction to philosophical reasoning and a range of philosophical problems. Janet Radcliffe Richards claims that many current battles about Darwinism, in particular about evolutionary psychology and religion, are based on mistaken assumptions about the implications of the rival views. Her analysis of these implications provides a much-needed guide to the fundamentals of Darwinism and the so-called Darwin-wars, as well as providing a set of philosophical techniques relevant to wide areas of moral and political debate. It also raises philosophical problems of knowledge and certainly, free will and responsibility, altruism, the status of ethics, and the relevance of Darwinism to questions of ethics, politics and religion. The lucid presentation makes the book an ideal introduction to both philosophy and Darwinism, as well as a substantive contribution to topics of intense current controversy. It will be of interest to students of philosophy, science and the social sciences, and critical thinking.

to both philosophy and Darwinism, as well as a substantive contribution to topics of intense current controversy. It will be of interest to students of philosophy, science and the social sciences, and critical thinking.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [304]-308) and index.