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Why Human Nature Matters

Between Biology and Politics

Dr Matteo Mameli

$44.99

Paperback

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English
Bloomsbury Academic
07 March 2024
Does human nature constrain social and political change, or do social and political changes transform human nature? Why Human Nature Matters argues that the answer to both questions is ‘yes’. This philosophical account offers new tools for connecting biological and political perspectives on humanity. The focus is on the construction of human relations and environments, and on the complex materiality of these transformations.

The structure and history of the philosophical and scientific debates on human nature show that political praxis and ideas about human nature interact in a variety of ways. Ideas about human nature affect how people live their lives, organize their societies, and imagine their futures. The book explores these processes and their implications for the present state of our species. Appeals to human nature can uphold the status quo or advocate for change, and they can be wielded for exclusion or inclusion. The book proposes ways of thinking about human nature that stress the importance of diversity, plasticity, cooperation, and freedom.

By:  
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 216mm,  Width: 138mm, 
ISBN:   9781350189751
ISBN 10:   1350189758
Series:   Why Philosophy Matters
Pages:   208
Publication Date:  
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Primary
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Acknowledgements Introduction Part I 1. Cooperation Social Beings Political Animals Superorganisms 2. Transformation Natura Pura Natura Lapsa Regnum 3. Subordination Slaves and Women Slaves and Colonies Part II 4. Essentialism Sciences and Channels Darwin’s Barnacles Ideal Types and Genealogies After Essentialism 5. Post-Essentialism Statistical Typicality Human Diversity Human Niches and Human Praxis Our Common Humanity Bibliography Index

Matteo Mameli is Reader in Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, King’s College London, UK.

Reviews for Why Human Nature Matters: Between Biology and Politics

A very fine exemplar of ‘philosophy of praxis’ put in motion to address some pressing issues of our time, such as the transformations we can bring about at the intersection between nature, society and culture. * Giorgio Cesarale, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Ca’Foscari University of Venice, Italy Does human nature constrain social and political * Ideas matter, and few matter more than the idea of a human nature. Reading Matteo Mameli’s tour-de-force, Why Human Nature Matters, Between Biology and Politics, will give readers a much-needed thorough understanding of classic ideas about what humans are like and of contemporary debates about human nature. This beautifully written book will also give them a sophisticated grasp on how science, politics, and philosophy are often irremediably intertwined. * Edouard Machery, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh, USA *


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