Most people in the world today think democracy and gender equality are good; and that violence and wealth inequality are bad. But most people who lived during the 10;000 years before the nineteenth century thought just the opposite. Drawing on archaeology; anthropology; biology; and history; Ian Morris explains why. Fundamental long-term changes in values; Morris argues; are driven by the most basic force of all: energy. Humans have found three main ways to get the energy they need―from foraging; farming; and fossil fuels. Each energy source sets strict limits on what kinds of societies can succeed; and each kind of society rewards specific values. But if our fossil-fuel world favors democratic; open societies; the ongoing revolution in energy capture means that our most cherished values are very likely to turn out not to be useful any more. Foragers; Farmers; and Fossil Fuels offers a compelling new argument about the evolution of human values; one that has far-reaching implications for how we understand the past―and for what might happen next. Originating as the Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University; the book includes challenging responses by classicist Richard Seaford; historian of China Jonathan Spence; philosopher Christine Korsgaard; and novelist Margaret Atwood.
#329404 in Books 2013-02-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.00 x 6.10l; .90 #File Name: 0691151660304 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Erudite and InformativeBy Adrian BonenbergerThis book was not written with a broad public in mind; and it's a shame; because if the ideas were a *little* bit more accessible; it might have been a real sensation. As it stands now; this is an academic discussion for students of organizational medicine who likely will work in research or in government; it explores how various affected populations have interacted with the Chernobyl disaster; and how various government agencies from different (soviet and post-soviet) ideological backgrounds have attempted to address the literal fallout. Deeply engaging; but not a quick or lesiurely read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great ethnographical work exploring the relationship between citizenship and subjectivityBy angelGreat ethnographical work exploring the relationship between citizenship and subjectivity; a very present and important debate for our time.2 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Good!By JaxMy book is clean with no writing and no rips. It is exactly what the description said it would be.
