Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

Consider the following quotation: “Somewhere between neurons, hormones, and genes on one hand in culture, ecological influences, and evolution on the other, sits the individual. And with more than 7 billion of us, it’s easy to feel that no single individual can make much of a difference. But we know that’s not true” (652). Considering the contents of Chapter 16 and its arguments that free will is essentially an illusion, do you agree that any individual can make a difference? Explain with references from the text.

Explain the difference between group selection and neo-group selection with references from the text. Why are these differences important?

Behave, in essence, deals with the myriad factors that work together to shape human behavior, from the cultural to the genetic, the hormonal to the moral. Of these factors, which surprised you most in its capacity to shape human behavior? Explain with references from the text.