{"product_id":"the-altruistic-brain-how-we-are-naturally-good-9780199377466","title":"The Altruistic Brain: How We Are Naturally Good","description":"Since the beginning of recorded history, law and religion have provided rules that define good behavior. When we obey such rules, we assign to some external authority the capacity to determine how we should act. Even anarchists recognize the existence of a choice as to whether or not to\u003cbr\u003eobey, since no one has seriously doubted that the source of social order resides in our vast ethical systems. Debate has focused only on whose system is best, never for an instant imagining that law, religion, or some philosophical permutation of either was not the basis of prosocial action. The\u003cbr\u003eonly divergence from this uniform understanding of human society has come from the behavioral sciences, which cite various biological bases for human goodness. Putting aside both ancient and relatively modern ethical systems, neuroscientists, psychologists, and evolutionary biologists have started a\u003cbr\u003erevolution more profound than any anarchist ever dreamed of. In essence, these researchers argue that the source of good human behavior - of the benevolence that we associate with the highest religious teachings - emanates from our physical make-up. Our brains, hormones, and genes literally embody\u003cbr\u003eour social compasses. In \u003cem\u003eThe Altruistic Brain\u003c\/em\u003e, renowned neuroscientist Donald Pfaff provides the latest, most far-reaching argument in support of this revolution, explaining in exquisite detail how our neuroanatomical structure favors kindness towards others.\u003cbr\u003eUnlike any other study in its field, \u003cem\u003e The Altruistic Brain\u003c\/em\u003e synthesizes all the most important research into how and why - at a purely physical level - humans empathize with one another and respond altruistically. It demonstrates that human beings are wired to behave altruistically in the first\u003cbr\u003einstance, such that unprompted, spontaneous kindness is our default behavior; such behavior comes naturally, irrespective of religious or cultural determinants. Based on his own research and that of some of the world's most eminent scientists, Dr. Pfaff puts together well-established brain\u003cbr\u003emechanisms into a theory that is at once novel but also easily demonstrable. He further explains how, using psycho-social approaches that are now well understood, we can clear away obstacles to the brain's natural, altruistic inclinations. This is the first book not only to explain why we are\u003cbr\u003enaturally good, but to suggest means of making us behave as well as we can.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Altruistic Brain\u003c\/em\u003e is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the behavioral revolution in science and the promise that it holds for reorienting society towards greater cooperation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Donald W. Pfaff\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/05\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 312\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.97lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780199377466\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/13\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2014 pg. 109\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProfessor of Neurobiology and Behavior, \u003cbr\u003eThe Rockefeller University \u003cbr\u003eNew York, New York\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press, USA","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":40398510719091,"sku":"9.78E+12","price":40.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/products\/img_f9c22066-9216-465c-b466-43fe430e02f9.jpg?v=1661865176","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/products\/the-altruistic-brain-how-we-are-naturally-good-9780199377466","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}