DARWINIAN LEFT, A - POLITICS, EVOLUTION AND COOPERATION

Princeton biologist Singer argues that the political left must radically revise its outdated view of human nature. In explaining why the left originally rejected Darwinian thought and why these reasons are no longer viable, he shows how Darwinian evolution is compatible with cooperation as well as competition, and how the theory can be used to foster cooperation for socially desirable ends through an understanding of what social and economic changes would likely benefit the weak. In addition, he claims that the ideas can also work toward a higher moral status for nonhuman animals and a less anthropocentric view of our dominance over nature. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)