Dupre warns that the understanding of human nature is being distorted by two faulty and harmful forms of pseudo-scientific thinking. One set of experts seek to explain the ends at which humans aim in terms of evolutionary theory, while the other set uses economic models to give rules of how we act to achieve those ends. Dupre demonstrates that these theorists' explanations do not work and that, if taken seriously, their theories tend to have dangerous social and political consequences.
1. Introduction; 2. The Foundations of Evolutionary Psychology; 3. The Evolutionary Psychology of Sex and Gender; 4. The Charms and Consequences of Evolutionary Psychology; 5. Kinds of People; 6. Rational Choice Theory; 7. Freedom of the Will; Bibliography, Index
'excellent, clear, and helpful' His [Dupre's] criticisms are well made ... His approach is certainly interesting and deserving of both scrutiny and elaboration ... Dupre ends with the wonderful suggestion that his view leaves a role for philosophy as providing a "synoptic and integrative vision", and so moving "from underlabourer to Queen of the Sciences" The Philosophers' Magazine