Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life containing key details about the book.
What is Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life About?
"Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life" is a book by Douglas T. Kenrick that explores the evolutionary roots of human behavior and the influence of biology on human actions and thoughts.
In Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life, the author exposes the selfish animalistic underside of human nature, and shows how it is intimately connected to our greatest and most selfless achievements. Masterfully integrating cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and complexity theory, this intriguing book paints a comprehensive picture of the principles that govern our lives. As Kenrick divulges, beneath our civilized veneer, human beings are a lot like howling hyenas and barking baboons, with heads full of homicidal tendencies and sexual fantasies.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* Evolution plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior and thought processes.
* Our primitive ancestors lived in a world that was different from the modern world, and their behavior was shaped by their environment.
* Our ancient ancestors had to make quick decisions about whether to fight, flee, or mate with potential partners, which have left a lasting impact on our behavior.
* Our primitive ancestors also had to navigate a world full of danger, and their survival instincts have influenced our behavior and thought processes in the present day.
* Our biology influences the way we think about sex, relationships, and the meaning of life.
* Our sexual and romantic relationships are shaped by our biology and evolution, and our primal instincts still play a role in modern-day relationships.
* Our search for meaning and purpose in life is rooted in our biology and evolution, as our ancestors had to navigate a dangerous and uncertain world.
* By understanding our evolutionary roots and the influence of biology on our behavior, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Who is the author of Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life?
Douglas T. Kenrick is professor of psychology at Arizona State University. His research and writing integrate three scientific syntheses of the last few decades: evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, and dynamical systems theory.
Book details
- Print length: 238 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Science
What are the chapters in Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life?
Chapter 1 Standing in the Gutter: How did an innocent young student accidentally fall in with a band of intellectual revolutionaries?
Chapter 2 Why Playboy Is Bad for Your Mental Mechanisms: When is beauty bad for you?
Chapter 3 Homicidal Fantasies: Why have most of us had at least one fantasy about committing murder?
Chapter 4 Outgroup Hatred in the Blink of an Eye: Why can't we all just get along?
Chapter 5 The Mind as a Coloring Book: Why doesn't cultural variation support the blank-slate view of the mind?
Chapter 6 Subselves: The three faces of thee.
Chapter 7 Reconstructing Maslow's Pyramid: Where are the missing bricks in the classic pyramid of needs?
Chapter 8 How the Mind Warps: Why do men and women forget different people and regret different things?
Chapter 9 Peacocks, Porsches, and Pablo Picasso: Why do men go out of their way to avoid a Consumer Reports Best Buy?
Chapter 10 Sex and Religion: When is godliness just another mating strategy?
Chapter 11 Deep Rationality and Evolutionary Economics: Why are behavioral economists only half right when they say that our economic choices are irrational?
Chapter 12 Bad Crowds, Chaotic Attractors, and Humans as Ants: Why your parents were right about the company you keep
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life helps us understand our complex, odd and quirky nature. It is a fascinating journey that brought us here and Douglas Kenrick is a master in helping us understand our real nature.” — Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Behavioral Economics, Duke University; Author of Predictably Irrational
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in enhancing your personal growth, I suggest checking out my list of favorite self-development books. These books have been instrumental in my own personal development and I'm confident they can help you too.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
