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The Moral Molecule: The New Science of What Makes Us Good or Evil

The Moral Molecule: The New Science of What Makes Us Good or Evil

Paul J. Zak

9780593067505

Bantam


Economics; Economic theory & philosophy; Health & Self-Help; Popular psychology

Paperback

256 pages

$34.95  $31.45

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Why are men less faithful than women? Why are some people altruists and others cold-hearted bastards? Why do some businesses succeed while others collapse? In his entertaining and groundbreaking book, Paul Zak uses neuroscience and the fundamentals of economics to answer essential questions about human nature and explore exactly what 'goodness' is. Oxytocin, a hormone generally associated with childbirth, is present in all of us: this is the moral molecule that makes us empathetic, and is therefore the fundamental control mechanism that orchestrates morality. From his unusual 'vampire studies', which involve taking blood from wedding guests to see if the romantic ritual increases oxytocin (it does), to working with US Military troops to balance oxytocin with testosterone, this study takes us from corporate offices to Buddhist monasteries. In doing so Zak demonstrates how businesses and whole economies are affected by oxytocin, and his studies into an oxytocin based drug that could treat autism, anxiety and post-traumatic-stress disorder, show us its potential influence on society as a whole. Fascinating and full of great stories, The Moral Molecule makes for compelling reading and will leave you with new knowledge of human nature, why we do what we do, and how we connect to each other.

By:   Paul J. Zak
Imprint:   Bantam
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 19mm,  Width: 234mm,  Spine: 153mm
Weight:   341g
ISBN:  

9780593067505


ISBN 10:   0593067509
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   August 2012
Audience:   General/trade ,  Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  ELT Advanced ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained
Our supplier is currently out of stock. You can order it and we will ship it to you upon arrival.


Paul Zak tells the remarkable story of how he discovered and explored the biochemistry of sympathy, love and trust with the narrative skill of a novelist. Philosophy, economics and biology have rarely been so entertaining. Matt Ridley, author of Genome An ancient mammalian molecule prods us to bond with others. Paul Zak offers a most engaging account of this important discovery, bound to overthrow traditional thinking about human behavior, including economics and morality. Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy Paul Zak's investigations into the best things in life are inspired, rigorous, and tremendous fun. We need more daring economists like him. Tyler Cowen, author of The Great Stagnation and the forthcoming An Economist Gets Lunch

This is an important book. Empathy, cooperation, trusting, heroism, stinginess, skepticism, anger, tough mindedness: Paul Zak unpacks these and other deeply human feelings with his pioneering research into brain chemistry and his keen journalist eye--exposing the dignity (and treachery) within our common human nature. You will never think about lobsters, gossip, 'butt slapping' footballers, middle management, or the recent housing bubble fiasco the same way again. It's a 'must know' and a great read. <br> -Helen Fisher, author of Why We Love

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