Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels

How Human Values Evolve

Ian Morris, Stephen Macedo, Richard Seaford , Jonathan D. Spence

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English

Princeton University Pres
08 August 2017

Social & cultural history; Philosophy; Ethics & moral philosophy; Social & cultural anthropology

Series: The University Center for Human Values Series

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.

By: Ian Morris
Commentaries by: Richard Seaford, Jonathan D. Spence, Christine M. Korsgaard
Edited by: Stephen Macedo
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 397g
ISBN: 9780691175898
ISBN 10: 0691175896
Series: The University Center for Human Values Series
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 08 August 2017
Audience: College/higher education , College/higher education , Further / Higher Education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Ian Morris is professor of classics and a fellow of the Stanford Archaeology Center at Stanford University.

Reviews for Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels: How Human Values Evolve

Stimulating. --Russell Warfield, Resurgence & Ecologist A very good and enjoyable read. --Diane Coyle, Enlightened Economist A provocative explanation for the evolution and divergence of ethical values. . . . In the hands of this talented writer and thinker, [this] material becomes an engaging intellectual adventure. --Kirkus Excellent and thought-provoking. . . . More important, by putting forth a bold, clearly formulated hypothesis, Morris has done a great service to the budding field of scientific history. --Peter Turchin, Science Excellent and thought-provoking... More important, by putting forth a bold, clearly formulated hypothesis, Morris has done a great service to the budding field of scientific history. --Peter Turchin, Science A provocative explanation for the evolution and divergence of ethical values... In the hands of this talented writer and thinker, [this] material becomes an engaging intellectual adventure. --Kirkus A very good and enjoyable read. --Diane Coyle, Enlightened Economist Stimulating. --Russell Warfield, Resurgence & Ecologist