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The Social Instinct

How Cooperation Shaped the World

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The Social Instinct

Written by: Nichola Raihani
Narrated by: Nichola Raihani
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Brought to you by Penguin. 

Why cooperate? This may be the most important scientific question we have ever, and will ever, face. 

The science of cooperation tells us not only how we got here, but also where we might end up. Cooperation explains how strands of DNA gave rise to modern-day nation states. It defines our extraordinary ecological success, as well as many of the most surprising features of what make us human: not only why we live in families, why we have grandmothers and why women experience the menopause, but also why we become paranoid and jealous, and why we cheat. 

Nichola Raihani also introduces us to other species who, like us, live and work together. From the pied babblers of the Kalahari to the cleaner fish of the Great Barrier Reef, they happen to be some of the most fascinating and extraordinarily successful species on this planet. What do we have in common with these other species, and what is it that sets us apart?

Written at a time of global pandemic, when the challenges and importance of cooperation have never been greater, The Social Instinct is an exhilarating, far-reaching and thought-provoking journey through all life on Earth, with profound insights into what makes us human and how our societies work. 

©2021 Nichola Raihani (P)2021 Penguin Audio Biological Sciences Democracy Ideologies & Doctrines Politics & Government Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Psychology & Interactions
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It's an interesting take on the social norms and deviations in humans and other animal kingdoms with loads of enticing examples and pellucid explanations. The parallels drawn between humans and other species have impressed me the most. Sometimes the number of examples and concepts introduced are turgid but doesn't hamper the flow the much. I learnt a lots of interesting concepts as well as new horizons of interest to read opened. It's a new age saga of cooperation and failure or success.

Incredibly Insightful

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