Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels

How Human Values Evolve

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Archaeology, History, World History
Cover of the book Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard ISBN: 9781400865512
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: March 22, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
ISBN: 9781400865512
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: March 22, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Most people in the world today think democracy and gender equality are good, and that violence and wealth inequality are bad. But most people who lived during the 10,000 years before the nineteenth century thought just the opposite. Drawing on archaeology, anthropology, biology, and history, Ian Morris explains why. Fundamental long-term changes in values, Morris argues, are driven by the most basic force of all: energy. Humans have found three main ways to get the energy they need—from foraging, farming, and fossil fuels. Each energy source sets strict limits on what kinds of societies can succeed, and each kind of society rewards specific values. But if our fossil-fuel world favors democratic, open societies, the ongoing revolution in energy capture means that our most cherished values are very likely to turn out not to be useful any more. Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels offers a compelling new argument about the evolution of human values, one that has far-reaching implications for how we understand the past—and for what might happen next. Originating as the Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University, the book includes challenging responses by classicist Richard Seaford, historian of China Jonathan Spence, philosopher Christine Korsgaard, and novelist Margaret Atwood.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Most people in the world today think democracy and gender equality are good, and that violence and wealth inequality are bad. But most people who lived during the 10,000 years before the nineteenth century thought just the opposite. Drawing on archaeology, anthropology, biology, and history, Ian Morris explains why. Fundamental long-term changes in values, Morris argues, are driven by the most basic force of all: energy. Humans have found three main ways to get the energy they need—from foraging, farming, and fossil fuels. Each energy source sets strict limits on what kinds of societies can succeed, and each kind of society rewards specific values. But if our fossil-fuel world favors democratic, open societies, the ongoing revolution in energy capture means that our most cherished values are very likely to turn out not to be useful any more. Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels offers a compelling new argument about the evolution of human values, one that has far-reaching implications for how we understand the past—and for what might happen next. Originating as the Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University, the book includes challenging responses by classicist Richard Seaford, historian of China Jonathan Spence, philosopher Christine Korsgaard, and novelist Margaret Atwood.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Measuring Poverty around the World by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book On Rumors by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book The Godfather Doctrine by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Secrets and Leaks by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book State of the Union by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Financing the American Dream by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Of War and Law by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Life among the Anthros and Other Essays by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Everyday Calculus by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Mercy on Trial by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Beautiful Game Theory by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Liberty and Coercion by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Evolutionary Ecology of Parasites by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Raptors of Mexico and Central America by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Cover of the book Income Distribution in Macroeconomic Models by Ian Morris, Margaret Atwood, Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy