El mono canalla : La oscura herencia biológica del ser humano

If there's one thing that fascinates us about observing the behavior of chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and primates and apes in general, it's because we somehow feel that much of ourselves, our instincts and tendencies, is reflected there. And this intuition has been increasingly confirmed by ethology and evolutionary theory. What drives us to choose between selfishness and altruism, or between strict monogamy and unbridled sexual promiscuity? Is there a genetic predisposition to gluttony, alcoholism, or envy of others? Do our outbursts of anger and violence offer any evolutionary advantage? Is there a gene for laziness? In this surprising and illuminating essay, Victoria de Andrés explains how much of those human behaviors that might be described as… uncomfortable are due to genetic inheritance and how much is a product of culture and environment. Without the slightest moralizing and with generous doses of humor, this fascinating work reminds us of our primate roots and forces us to reconsider notions such as guilt, freedom, vice, and sin. It's an invitation to glimpse our darker side and marvel at its evolutionary origins.