Description
In this thoughtful exploration of a painful subject, Kathleen Taylor seeks to bring together the fruits of work in psychology, sociology, and her own field of neuroscience to shed light on the nature of cruelty and what makes human beings cruel. The question of cruelty is inevitably tied to questions of moral philosophy, the nature of evil, free will and responsibility. Taylor's approach is ambitious, but little work has been done in this area and this wide-ranging discussion, considering the roles of emotion, belief, identity and 'otherizing'; evolved instincts and differences in brains; callousness and sadism; seeks to begin to identify how we might reduce or limit cruelty in our societies by a greater understanding of its causes, and the circumstances in which it can grow. As with her highly regarded previous book, Brainwashing, Taylor draws in examples from history and literature in her study, making this a rich and multifaceted analysis that should be of interest to a wide readership, and provoke much thought, debate, and further research.
About the Author
Kathleen Taylor studied physiology and philosophy at Oxford University. She went on to do a research MSc at Stirling University, working on brain chemistry, before returning to Oxford to do a DPhil in neuroscience. She has written on a range of topics, from consciousness to the psychology of wartime atrocities. In 2002 she won two writing competitions, one for science writing and one for an essay in the humanities/social sciences. Her first book, Brainwashing: the science of thought control, was published in 2004.
Reviews
Both lay readers and academics from a variety of disciplines will find 'Cruelty' an absorbing and thought-provoking work. * Sue McHale, Times Higher Education Supplement *
A copy should be given to every politician elected to Parliment. * Sue McHale, Times Higher Education Supplement *
[A] wise and timely book. * Steven Rose, The Guardian *
Book Information
ISBN 9780199552627
Author Kathleen Taylor
Format Hardback
Page Count 350
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 688g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 163mm * 31mm
About the Author
Kathleen Taylor studied physiology and philosophy at Oxford University. She went on to do a research MSc at Stirling University, working on brain chemistry, before returning to Oxford to do a DPhil in neuroscience. She has written on a range of topics, from consciousness to the psychology of wartime atrocities. In 2002 she won two writing competitions, one for science writing and one for an essay in the humanities/social sciences. Her first book, Brainwashing: the science of thought control, was published in 2004.
Reviews
Both lay readers and academics from a variety of disciplines will find 'Cruelty' an absorbing and thought-provoking work. * Sue McHale, Times Higher Education Supplement *
A copy should be given to every politician elected to Parliment. * Sue McHale, Times Higher Education Supplement *
[A] wise and timely book. * Steven Rose, The Guardian *
Book Information
ISBN 9780199552627
Author Kathleen Taylor
Format Hardback
Page Count 350
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 688g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 163mm * 31mm
