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  • Moral Animal

  • Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology
  • By: Robert Wright
  • Narrated by: Greg Thornton
  • Length: 16 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (283 ratings)
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Moral Animal cover art

Moral Animal

By: Robert Wright
Narrated by: Greg Thornton
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Summary

Are men literally born to cheat? Does monogamy actually serve women's interests? These are among the questions that have made The Moral Animal one of the most provocative science books in recent years. Wright unveils the genetic strategies behind everything from our sexual preferences to our office politics - as well as their implications for our moral codes and public policies.

©1995 Robert Wright (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An accessible introduction to the science of evolutionary psychology and how it explains many aspects of human nature. Unlike many books on the topic,which focus on abstractions like kin selection, this book focuses on Darwinian explanations of why we are the way we are--emotionally and morally. Wright deals particularly well with explaining the reasons for the stereotypical dynamics of the three big "S's:" sex, siblings, and society." (Amazon.com review)

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What listeners say about Moral Animal

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

Evolutionary psychology is surely a great and fascinating relatively new field of study, it's interesting.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enlightenment book about evolution

If you have never listened to a book about evolution this would be a good choice. It shows multiple aspects of it and gives very coherent understanding.
From disadvantages, narration could be better. Some of the chapters are also Darwin's biography, which weren't strictly necessary.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting but a bit dry

I thought the way that Robert Wright uses Darwin himself as a case study for the behaviours discussed was very clever, although it felt in many ways to be a biography rather than an exploration of evolutionary psychology. He does however cover quite a lot of material. Whether it's "new" I'm not sure. The narrator was probably the worst part of the experience so if you don't mind him then you will likely find this interesting and Informative.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Yes. Get it.

nice history and story of Darwin laced with details and breakdowns of his work and evolutionary biology and even psychology. yes. if you're a beginner get it.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best book I've read in a long time

The best book I've read/listened to in a long time. So many important and valid points, it's almost overwhelming.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Moral Animal

An insightful book, and one definitely worth the effort to read.

It combines the contemporary sciences with Darwin's theories; it includes his personal/family and professional lives... there's so much to digest that it may well take another read (at the very least) before the information begins to settle.

Excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting listen

This is an incredible work. But a bit too technical in places for the layman.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

thought provoking look at the human condition

Interesting but felt a bit long winded at times. the use of Darwin thought-out also seemed a little forced and at times irrelevant.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t get through it.

When I read the synopsis of this book I was so excited to get stuck in and learn but unfortunately I’ve not been able to finish it. The narration is so dull and boring I found it painful to listen to. I’m sure he’s a lovely person but he made me want to pull all of my fingernails out one by one. Not what you want from a bedtime story.

I would advice anyone who is thinking of getting this book to listen to the short clip and see if you can handle his style. I wish I had.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

interesting but abstract

it was a very interesting book however the language was very specialised and obscure at times

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