Seeking 'human Nature' (Press, 4 October 1980)

In the book "Human Nature: The Whisperings Within," David Barash, a zoologist, probes into the evolution and origin of what is termed “human nature.” The work is a comprehensive analysis, rich with examples of behaviours from both advanced and primitive animals and plants, and their comparisons to that of humans. Barash warns against the pitfalls of anthropomorphism, which involves interpreting animal behaviour through a human lens, and zoomorphism, where human actions are seen in the context of animal behaviour. Throughout the text, Barash illustrates various behaviours such as prostitution in hummingbirds and homosexual rape in bisexual parasitic worms. He meticulously explains each behaviour's adaptive significance and the associated evolutionary mechanisms. One of the central themes of the book is polygamy, which is portrayed as a biologically “natural” state for humans. Barash supports this assertion with anatomical and physiological evidence, along with cultural examples from various societies throughout history. The author posits that the fundamental driving force behind human behaviour is the maximisation of fitness—the idea that our behaviours are influenced by the need to propagate successful genes through natural selection. This notion extends to aspects of parenting, where actions such as protecting close family members and even spontaneous abortions in cases deemed bad evolutionary investments are seen as strategies to improve genetic fitness. Moreover, Barash discusses mate selection based on dominance and prowess in aggression or hunting as further examples of natural selection in action. However, Barash acknowledges that human behaviour is not solely dictated by genetics; it is a product of both genetic inheritance and learning shaped by specific ecological contexts. He suggests that while genetics play a significant role in behaviour development, the influences of social learning and environmental factors also shape how expressions of traits, such as aggression, manifest. These expressions, including war and other aggressive behaviours, are thus viewed as components of our evolutionary biology. Overall, Barash's work offers a thought-provoking examination of human behaviour through the lens of evolutionary biology, highlighting the complex interplay between our genetic predispositions and learned behaviours in understanding the essence of human nature. The dialogue addresses the multifaceted elements that contribute to human behaviour while invoking conversations about the implications of viewing ourselves through the evolutionary frameworks typically associated with other species.

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