Book Summaries
Chapter 10: The Self-domesticated Ape (The Red Queen)
Mankind is a self-domesticated animal; a social ape; an ape in which the male takes the initiative in courtship and females usually leave home; an ape in which men are predators, women herbivorous foragers; an ape in which males are hierarchical, females egalitarian.
Mankind is a self-domesticated animal; a social ape; an ape in which the male takes the initiative in courtship and females usually leave home; an ape in which men are predators, women herbivorous foragers; an ape in which males are hierarchical, females egalitarian.
An ape in which males invest heavily in offspring by providing their families with food, protection and company; an ape in which monogamous pair bonds are the rule, but many males have affairs and some males achieve polygamy; an ape in which females mated to low-ranking males often cuckold their husbands in order to gain access to the genes of higher-ranking males; an ape that has been subject to unusually intense mutual sexual selection, so that many of the features of the female body (lips, breasts, waists) and the mind of both sexes (songs, competitive ambition, status seeking) are designed for use in competition for mates; an ape that has developed an extraordinary range of new instincts to learn by association, to communicate by speech and to pass on traditions. But still an ape.Matt Ridley,The Red Queen
Despite these factual descriptions of mankind, Ridley acknowledges that much of what is contained in the book is probably false. The history of human science shows us how often we have gotten things worse: Galton’s eugenics, Freud’s unconscious, Durkheim’s sociology, Mead’s cultural anthropology, Skinner’s behaviorism, Piaget’s early learning and Wilson’s sociobiology all contain errors and false perspectives.
The Red Queen is just another chapter in this tale, and it is likely that it will be politicized in the future. One reason we may be doomed to never understand ourselves is that part of our nature is to turn every inquiry into “expression of our own nature: ambitious, illogical, manipulative and religious.”
Are you tired of dealing with the redness, irritation, and discomfort of rosacea? Look no further! “Living with Rosacea,” offers practical and effective tips for managing the symptoms of this common skin condition. From dietary changes to skincare routines, you’ll learn how to take control of your rosacea and enjoy a happier, healthier complexion. Order your copy today and say goodbye to confusion about rosacea!
YARPP List
Related posts:
- Chapter 16: The Capitalist Creed (Sapiens)
- Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Summary (9/10)
- The Religion of Technology Summary (8/10)
- Marcion (Dominion)
Keep Reading
Related Articles
Book Summaries
Three Psychology Books Everyone Should Read
Psychologists study the human mind in order to better understand it. They use various techniques, such as interviews and experiments, to learn more about people. This knowledge can be used to help people in their everyday lives.
Book Summaries
The Lover (King, Warrior, Magician, Lover)
### The Lover There are many forms of love. The ancient Greeks spoke of agape, or non-erotic love, what the Bible calls “brotherly love.” They spoke of Eros in the narrow sense of sexual love and the wider sense of bonding and uniting urge of all things.
Book Summaries
Warren Buffet – Q 1121
- If merely looking up past financial data would tell you what the future holds, the Forbes 400 would consist of librarians. – Letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders (February 2009) - Degree of difficulty counts in the Olympics; it doesn’t count in business.
Book Summaries
How to Read Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian writer, historian, and Nobel laureate, known for his powerful literary works that exposed the harsh realities of life in the Soviet Union. His writings often dealt with themes of truth, freedom, human dignity, and the resilience of the human spirit. **1.