Western Civilization in Biological Perspective
Stephen Boyden(Author)
Clarendon Press
Published on 1. December 1989
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-19-857742-3 (ISBN)
Description
The author explores the patterns of interplay between the biological and cultural processes in human affairs, beginning with the emergence in evolution of "homo sapiens" and carries his survey through the early farming and urban phases of human existence up to the present day. He considers in particular the impact of societal developments on biological systems. His focus here is on the productivity of ecosystems and the health and well-being of humans. He goes on to consider the adaptive processes that come into play when the consequences of these impacts are perceived to be undesirable. Throughout the text the author draws attention to evolutionary, ecological, and biosocial principles that are important to the understanding of human situations. In conclusion, he considers the concepts set out in the book in relation to the problems of mankind's survival in the modern world, and society's options for the future.
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Oxford University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
New edition
Illustrations
line illustrations, bibliography
ISBN-13
978-0-19-857742-3 (9780198577423)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Biohistorical perspectives; Adaptation; Human needs and human behaviour; The primeval phase of human experience; The early farming phase; The early urban phase; The transition to the high-energy phase and the public health movement; Interrelationships between society and the biosphere in the high-energy phase; Societal developments in the high-energy phase; Humans in the high-energy phase; Possibilities for the future in biohistorical perspective; Appendix: Conceptual schemes; References; Index.