Robert Winston's popular science book, Human Instinct, is a fascinating look
at the mental and emotional implications of human evolution. Whereas most
other books on evolutionary biology concentrate on the physiological
similarities we have with our ancestors, this one focuses on the
psychological. The central thesis of the book is that modern man does not
only look like the hunter-gatherer apes from which we are descended: he
thinks like them as well.
The introduction sets the scene by presenting a brief history of man. Since
descending from the trees in the thinning forests to the plains of the
African savannah five million years ago, natural selection has had profound
effects on us. Danger from outside the species and competition from within
were fierce, and any advantages that raised the chances of survival were
passed on to the next generation, the pattern being repeatedly reinforced
over the millennia. In the space of three million years, our brains tripled
in size and we began using tools, developing language, harnessing fire and
forming extended groups. Modern man is the product of a very long line of
survivors, and although our environment now is not the harsh one of the
savannah, the instincts ingrained in us do not die so easily. A few thousand
years of civilisation is not nearly long enough to begin evolving some of
these traits out. This sheds light on numerous areas of our lives - work,
recreation and relationships. Put simply, although we live in a 21st century
society, we still have Stone Age minds.
Robert Winston is a gifted popular author, as demonstrated by his many
previous books and TV series. What sets this book apart is its interest in
the psychological implications of evolution, a topic that few scientists
have contemplated, let alone accepted. At times (as the author warns) this
means that there are some controversial ideas. However, he supports his
conclusions with evidence from archaeology, medicine and modern analogies,
and there is also little of the arrogance that many evolutionary biologists
have (the book even includes a reaction to Dawkins' polemic against religion
in the light of this research. Winston is one of few evolutionary biologists
to believe in God and support religious values). He is open-minded and
sensitive in his opinions; there is no wild speculation, and the tone is
inoffensive and often humorous. As such, whether the reader agrees with the
ideas here or not, they will undoubtedly find it a fascinating exploration
of human characteristics in the light of evolutionary theory.
