SOCIAL SCIENCES

Moral Origins

The Evolution of Virtue, Altruism, and Shame
by Christopher Boehm
Moral Origins: The Evolution of Virtue, Altruism, and Shame. Basic Bks: Perseus. May 2012. c.352p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780465020485. $28.99. PSYCH
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This book asks the question, "Why is altruism present in modern human beings?" and explores whether altruism has a biological basis. Boehm (director, Jane Goodall Research Ctr., Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles; Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior) argues that altruism is inborn and, after outlining three possible scenarios from which human "moral origins" could have arisen, explains which one is the best supported by the evidence. As part of his argument about the evolution of generosity and cooperation, Boehm discusses the nature of human social organizations and how this contributed to the modern human conscience.
VERDICT Basing his work on thorough reading of anthropological literature and archaeological data, Boehm uses creditable sources to make his case. The scholarly language and concepts make this an unlikely choice for a lay reader. However, it is an excellent choice for university courses in anthropology, sociology, psychology, ethics/philosophy, or biology.
Reviewed by Rebecca M. Marrall, Western Washington Univ. Libs., Bellingham , May 01, 2012
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