Evolution and Empathy : The Genetic Factor in the Rise of Humanism

by Brener, Milton E.

• ISBN13: 9780786436651
• ISBN10: 0786436654
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-06-15
• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc Pub

Summary

This book applies new scientific research in the fields of biology and genetics to an empirical study of the Greco-Roman civilizations and the European Renaissance. These two periods were remarkable in part because of the dominance of empathy and humanism in the philosophical thought of each era. Both periods were preceded by the influx of many populations and genetic lines, a circumstance this book treats as not coincidental but probably causative. The author cites the expression of new genetic combinations in these periods as evidence that genetic evolution can play a large part in the development of new philosophical concepts, as manifested in these two periods. The author explains that humanistic traits seem to rise and fall in lockstep throughout human history, directly or indirectly correlating with changing genetic underpinnings.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 1
Preliminaries
The Modern Synthesis	p. 3
Toward a More Selfish Gene	p. 9
The Nature of Empathy	p. 22
Empathy and Affect	p. 29
Facial Expression and Affect	p. 33
Cerebral Asymmetry	p. 36
The Pre-Greeks
Genetics and the Pre-Greeks	p. 41
The Pre-Greeks and the Third Dimension	p. 44
The Right Brain and Perspective	p. 55
Facial Expression in Pre-Greek Art and Literature	p. 58
Facial Expression and the Right Brain	p. 65
Individuality and Human Sacrifice	p. 67
Novelty and Innovation	p. 72
The Pre-Greek View of the Natural World	p. 80
Genes, Guns, Germs and Steel	p. 84
The Physiology
The Not So Modern Synthesis	p. 91
The Taboos and the Looming Confrontation	p. 97
Neurotransmitters and Temperament	p. 106
Internal Tone, Eye Color and Temperament	p. 115
The Ways of the Goddess
Greek Geography and Migrations	p. 125
Population Genetics and Sexual Selection	p. 133
Chinks in the Armor of the Modern Synthesis	p. 140
The Baldwin Effect and Genetic Assimilation	p. 145
Her Tool Kit
Epigenesis	p. 153
Genetic Accommodation	p. 161
Genetic Facilitation	p. 164
The Greco-Roman Rise and Fall
Greek Politics and Art	p. 171
Greek Literature	p. 181
The Romans	p. 186
A Theater of Opportunity	p. 192
The Dark Ages	p. 202
The Renaissance and Beyond
An Advance Renaissance	p. 211
The Renaissance Portrait	p. 219
Perspective and the New View of Nature	p. 221
Epilogue	p. 230
Chapter Notes	p. 233
Bibliography	p. 241
Index	p. 251
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