Human Nature: The Science of Extreme Altruism and Violence

Catalog description

Why do humans so readily help strangers in some circumstances and not others? Why does our species have a tragic history of war, genocide, and violence? Just how flexible is our tendency for altruism and violence? Human Nature: The science of extreme altruism and violence surveys and synthesizes two of the most fascinating and unusual features of humans: our extremely high levels of altruism alongside our tragic propensity for violence. Treating humans as both biological and cultural creatures, we use the tools of anthropology, biology, and psychology to explore some of the most vexing questions in the social sciences and humanities. We will consider the role of the brain, hormones, genetics, social context, and evolution in producing the best and worst our species is capable of. While there are no prerequisites, you will gain a foundation in basic neurobiology and behavioral endocrinology alongside familiarity with leading theories of violence and altruism. We will use a combination of lectures, readings, and discussions to understand the science of altruism and violence. Throughout the course, we will use well-known current events and cross-culture case studies to anchor theory in real social contexts. By the end of this course, you will have the tools to evaluate behavior as the product of a complex interaction between biological, physiological, and social structures. You will never look at the world the same again!