What it Means to be 98% Chimpanzee: Apes, People, and their Genes
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.33 (716 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0520240642 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 333 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-10-10 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
This iconoclastic, witty, and extremely readable book illuminates the deep background of our place in nature and asks us to think critically about what science is, and what passes for it, in modern society.. Marks presents the field of molecular anthropology—a synthesis of the holistic approach of anthropology with the reductive approach of molecular genetics—as a way of improving our understanding of the science of human evolution
Engaging read, useful tools, some loopholes, awkward style If you're interested in what can and cannot be learned from the new advances in genetics technology--particularly the applications of that technology to the social sciences, history, psychology, political theory, and so on--then 98% Chimp won't disappoint. Marks is clearly conversant with the details of this rapidly advancing field as well as with the wildly unscientific claims made by many of its practitioners--to say nothing of those made by the technocratic/futurist know-nothings in the media or politics who make hay with research findings--. "Well argued, well written." according to Alejandro A. Reyes. I thoroughly appreciate a book that can give me an excellent introduction to subject matter that I find fascinating. There's that, but then there's also the well-documented research, the depth of social thought and criticism, the occasionally entertaining style of expression and the ability to have me see things differently on certain subjects like the cultural context science operates within and social assertions more biologists have been making. He does go a bit overboard at times, which clearly shows his own deeply held views, but all in all. "human nature, demarcation problem and culture meet genes" according to R. M. Williams. First a couple of structural observations before i look at the content.It has the organization and transitional structure between chapters of independent essays written for other venues and later shaped into a book. I do not know this for a fact, but the absence of a strong theme which ties the chapters together into a coherent structured book is a hint at it's origin. This lack of coherency as a whole is the main reason i rated it a human nature, demarcation problem and culture meet genes R. M. Williams First a couple of structural observations before i look at the content.It has the organization and transitional structure between chapters of independent essays written for other venues and later shaped into a book. I do not know this for a fact, but the absence of a strong theme which ties the chapters together into a coherent structured book is a hint at it's origin. This lack of coherency as a whole is the main reason i rated it a 4 and not a 5.Second, i bought the book based on reviews and word of mouth recommendations that were wrong about. and not a 5.Second, i bought the book based on reviews and word of mouth recommendations that were wrong about
First of all, because it is fun. He is right in remarking that numerical analyses of data require assumptions and therefore cannot be considered to be objective. That and future similar studies can help us understand our evolutionary relationships a little bit better, although, ultimately, what it means to be human is a fantastically complex question and one that science can only contribute to addressing. However, only seldom do we have the time to reflect on the assumptions underlying many concepts, even apparently simple ones, in this area. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark o