It would not be hyperbole to say that robert trivers is one of the most important evolutionary theorists since charles darwin. Trivers is arguably one of the most influential evolutionary theorists alive today. Is robert trivers deceiving himself about evolutionary psychologys flaws. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life 2011, basic books, isbn 0465027555 by robert trivers is a book that examines the evolutionary explanations for deceit and selfdeception.
Afterwards i got a scathing letter from robert trivers. Robert trivers books list of books by author robert trivers. Now, decades on, he has arrived at a big, new universal theory, also essentially based on the arithmetic. Robert triverss new book is a curious document a book about deception and selfdeception that is itself deceptive, in structure, voice and argument. As a young man in the 1970s, trivers gave biology a jolt. Trivers lives in somerset, new jersey, and in jamaica. To many people, trivers is one of the most influential voices in the history of evolutionary biology, with some of the best books in his bibliography including. Robert triverss most popular book is the oxford book of modern science writing. However, instead of reexamining christian values, robert trivers goes to the very cell of the living creatures humans, animals, insects, plants, viruses, and bacteria.
To call robert trivers an acclaimed biologist is an understatement akin to calling the late richard feynman a popular professor of physics. Arguably, trivers theories are the pillars of evolutionary psychology. A new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and self. Jan 06, 2012 is robert trivers deceiving himself about evolutionary psychologys flaws. Trivers focuses primarily on humans but he includes examples from many other organisms as well. Adventures of an evolutionary biologist trivers, robert on. Robert trivers was the man who produced the unifying theory of kin selection and altruism. Books by robert trivers author of the oxford book of modern. Whilst on holiday i decided to read a book telling the life story of one of the worlds most influential evolutionary theorists.
Unwisely, perhaps, i talked my girlfriend, whom ill call emily, into coming with me. Steven pinker considers trivers to be one of the great thinkers in the history of western thought. Like other great popular press books in science, this book advances an important new idea in an entertaining and accessible manner. This, at any rate, is how i remember robert trivers, although as he points out in the folly of fools, memory often tricks us.
The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life by robert trivers 2011, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Selected papers of robert trivers evolution and cognition 05sep2002. He also confesses to being a pothead, so im pretty sure my. Trivers proposed the theories of reciprocal altruism 1971, parental investment 1972, facultative sex ratio determination 1973, and parentoffspring conflict 1974. Aug 27, 2005 robert trivers could have been one of the great romantic heroes of 20thcentury science if hed died in the 70s, as some people supposed he would. Robert trivers winner of the crafoord prize, he was recognized for his fundamental analysis of social evolution, conflict, and cooperation. The author was a recipient of the crafoord prize in 2007. Chapter eight in june 2017 i traveled to jamaica to interview robert trivers, who owns a house on six wooded acres on a hilltop near the islands southern coast. Book spotlight the folly of fools by robert trivers. Sep 05, 2002 robert trivers is a pioneering figure in the field of sociobiology. Robert trivers is the preeminent living evolutionist of our time five blockbuster evolutionary insights and one wild life. Trivers focuses primarily on humans but he includes examples from many other organisms as. A new york times notable book of 2012whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office.
The folly of fools is a modern version of the renaissance work by erasmus of rotterdam, in praise of folly. Robert trivers is a pioneering figure in the field of sociobiology. Popular science books such as richard dawkins the selfish gene drew heavily on robert trivers papers. This cited by count includes citations to the following articles in scholar. The folly of fools reminds me of other irreducibly odd classics by scientific iconoclasts may trivers s new book give him the attention he so richly deserves. What really attracts me to this work is a combination of trivers credibility as an academic, and its unusual juxtaposition with personal and often revealing insights into his own existence, exemplifying his points with sometimes bluntly unflattering self analysis. Robert trivers is an american evolutionary biologist, who has. Is robert trivers deceiving himself about evolutionary. I came across trivers book as a result of a general forage through the jungle that is evolutionary psychology. Five blockbuster evolutionary insights and one wild life. Trivers is a professor of anthropology and biological sciences at rutgers university. Oct 05, 2011 robert trivers explains the evolutionary benefits of selfdeception. Robert trivers could have been one of the great romantic heroes of 20thcentury science if hed died in the 70s, as some people supposed he would.
He won the crafoord prize in biosciences in 2007 for his fundamental analysis of social evolution, conflict, and cooperation. Selected papers of robert trivers evolution and cognition series by robert l. My own view, he replied, is that sarah ought to devote more time and study and thought to raising a healthy daughter. Robert trivers contributor of the oxford book of modern science. Robert trivers scientific work has concentrated on two areas, social theory based on natural selection of which a theory of selfdeception is one part and the biology of selfish genetic elements which leads to certain kinds of internal genetic conflicts. Despite it not being about the application of evolutionary psychology to the workplace, i thought this post would be of value regardless.
She rolled her eyes when i called trivers one of the greatest living scientists. Robert trivers, one of the brightest minds in evolutionary biology, leaves us little escape, however. So why does deception play such a prominent role in our everyday lives. Now, decades on, he has arrived at a big, new universal theory. The bad new is that the forces were dealing withthat is, of deceit and selfdeceptionare very powerful. Book spotlight the folly of fools by robert trivers tom. Robert trivers is professor of anthropology and biological sciences, rutgers university. Robert trivers explains the evolutionary benefits of selfdeception. Psychology today who would have guessed that arguably todays most original thinker in evolutionary theory could possibly have led the extraordinary life robert trivers recounts in these pages. Like other great popular press books in science, this book advances an important new idea in an. Selected papers of robert trivers evolution and cognition.
The textbook series was meant to be as influential as the new mathematics, and to transform the teaching of biology, which meant that trivers. The folly of fools reminds me of other irreducibly odd classics by scientific iconoclasts may triverss new book give him the attention he so richly deserves. A voyage long and strange on the trail of vikings almost human the astounding tale of homo naledi and the discovery that changed our human story author bill dahl ballenesien edward j. Fooling yourself the better to fool ot 20140214 paperback. Robert trivers is one of the few scientists able to take command of an evolutionary perspective on subterfuge, and in his new book deceit and. We do it for biological reasonsin order to help us survive and procreate. An evolutionary biologist investigates why lying and selfdeception play such prominent roles in our lives.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box. Professor trivers has been named 2007 winner of the crafoord prize in biosciences. Books by robert trivers author of the oxford book of. Find the burt and trivers 2006 genes in conflict book here. Opportunities to lie to oneself arise every single day. Basic books berger lee bill dahl books collapse how societies choose to fail or succeed conquistadors diamond jared fraud hawks john horwitz tony landscapes. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life by robert trivers in chm, djvu, doc download ebook. In his bold new work, prominent biological theorist robert trivers unflinchingly argues that selfdeception evolved in the service of deceitthe better to fool others. Selected papers of robert trivers evolution and cognition by robert trivers. Winner of the crafoord prize, he was recognized for his fundamental analysis of social evolution, conflict, and cooperation. Robert trivers s books robert trivers average rating.
For natural selection and social theory, he has selected eleven of his most influential papers, including several classic papers from the early 1970s on the evolution of reciprocal altruism, parentoffspring conflicts, and asymmetry in sexual selection, which helped to establish the centrality of sociobiology, as well as some. Fooling yourself the better to fool others, and social evolution, and more on. Jan 05, 2016 to call robert trivers an acclaimed biologist is an understatement akin to calling the late richard feynman a popular professor of physics. See all books authored by robert trivers, including deceit and selfdeception. You say that about everyone you interview, she said. What makes trivers book unusual even among great books is the density of new ideas. Dec 30, 2011 robert triverss new book is a curious document a book about deception and selfdeception that is itself deceptive, in structure, voice and argument. In your new book you get into some quite serious stuff about how. Robert trivers scientific work has concentrated on two areas, social theory based on natural selection and the biology of selfish genetic elements. Great books contain important new ideas, and this book is no exception.
Oct 10, 2011 robert trivers was the man who produced the unifying theory of kin selection and altruism. It used to be said some forty years ago in jamaica that if you wanted to murder someone, you should bring him first to southfield because no one has ever been convicted of murder in southfield. Robert trivers has 12 books on goodreads with 10169 ratings. May 15, 2016 one cannot understate the influence trivers theories have had on the direction of scientific inquiry. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life. If that were not enough, trivers is witty, clever, and compassionate. Trivers, robert a new york times notable book of 2012 whether its in a cockpit at takeoff or the planning of an offensive war, a romantic relationship or a dispute at the office, there are many opportunities to lie and selfdeceivebut deceit and selfdeception carry the costs of being alienated from reality and can lead to disaster. The logic of deceit and selfdeception in human life new york. Robert trivers is a professor of anthropology and biological sciences at rutgers university. Robert trivers contributor of the oxford book of modern. Dec 25, 2011 this, at any rate, is how i remember robert trivers, although as he points out in the folly of fools, memory often tricks us. Help us improve our author pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography. Robert triverss books robert trivers average rating. The folly of fools by robert trivers overdrive rakuten.
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