A Darwinian Left
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founder | Peter Singer |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
A Darwinian Left: Politics, Evolution and Cooperation is a 1999 publication authored by philosopher Peter Singer. In this work, Singer contends that insights from evolutionary science, particularly evolutionary psychology, provide an understanding of human nature that aligns with Left ideology and should be incorporated into its framework.
Summary
Singer argues that embracing a scientifically grounded evolutionary perspective on human nature enables the Left to more effectively pursue its social and economic goals. He warns that ignoring established facts about human nature could lead to significant setbacks. Singer challenges the traditional Leftist assumption—rooted in Marxism and the standard social science model—that human nature is extremely flexible, viewing this stance as misguided.
He points out that evolutionary psychology reveals humans possess inherent self-interest, yet this observation does not morally endorse selfish behavior. Utilizing concepts from game theory and findings from psychological studies, Singer proposes that individuals motivated by self-interest will willingly make short-term sacrifices for others when social environments promote cooperative behavior. He underscores that humans have evolved not only competitive instincts but also profound abilities for cooperation throughout human evolution.
Reception
Philosopher Philip Kitcher expressed criticism regarding the book’s approach to sociobiology, labeling it as an uncritical propagation of sociobiological theories, though he recognized the book’s lucidity and insightful handling of central topics.
Peter Amato contended that Singer’s depiction of the Left lacks nuance and fails to capture its complexity, arguing that his "Darwinist anti-Marxism" relies on overly simplistic ideological characterizations of both perspectives.
See also
- The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature
- Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution
External links
- A Darwinian Left for Today and Beyond Excerpt from Peter Singer’s A Darwinian Left, pages 60–63.
- A Darwinian Left Review by an anonymous author at The Complete Review.