Is human nature something that the natural and social sciences aim to describe, or is it a pernicious fiction? What role, if any, does 'human nature' play in directing and informing scientific work? Can we talk about human nature without invoking-either implicitly or explicitly-a contrast with human culture? It might be tempting to think that the respectability of 'human nature' is an issue that divides natural and social scientists along disciplinary boundaries, but the truth is more complex. The contributors to this collection take very different stances with regard to the idea of human nature. They come from the fields of psychology, the philosophy of science, social and biological anthropology, evolutionary theory, and the study of animal cognition. Some of them are 'human nature' enthusiasts, some are sceptics, and some say that human nature is a concept with many faces, each of which plays a role in its own investigative niche. Some want to eliminate the notion altogether, some think it unproblematic, others want to retain it with reforming modifications. Some say that human nature is a target for investigation that the human sciences cannot do without, others argue that the term does far more harm than good. The diverse perspectives articulated in this book help to explain why we disagree about human nature, and what, if anything, might resolve that disagreement.

About the Author
Elizabeth Hannon is Director of the Forum, LSE, and the Assistant Editor for the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. She has taught in Durham University, the University of Leeds, and the University of Cambridge. Her primary research interests lie within the philosophy of biology and she also edits the popular philosophy essay series, theEssays. Tim Lewens is a Professor of Philosophy of Science in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Clare College. From 2014 to 2017 he was Deputy Director of the Centre for Research in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Cambridge. His primary research interests include the philosophy of biology, biomedical ethics, and general philosophy of science. His publications include Darwin (Routledge 2007), Biological Foundations of Bioethics (OUP 2015), Cultural Evolution: Conceptual Challenges (OUP 2015), and The Meaning of Science (Penguin 2015). He was a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics from 2009 to 2015.

Reviews
a terrific volume, , that brings an interdisciplinary range of leading thinkers offering arguments and reflections on the concept of human nature that amount to a state-of-the-art report on what roles it can, and cannot, play. . . . While no book can be the last word on a subject like this, this book gives the latest word, and it should be among the first things to read for those who will carry the discussion forward from here. * Ron Mallon, Philosophy of Science *
The strength of this collection is the varied expertise of the authors, all of whom are well established in their respective fields, including the philosophy of science, evolutionary studies, anthropology, and psychology. Each author presents a compelling case and gives the reader a clear framework for their specific perspective ... Recommended. * K. Feigenson, CHOICE *
This is a 'must read' for everybody interested in human nature and how we can better understand it. * Lluis Oviedo, European Society for the Study of Science and Theology *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198823650
Author Elizabeth Hannon
Format Hardback
Page Count 228
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 520g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 164mm * 20mm