Behave

The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

Robert Sapolsky

Book Synopsis

"Behave" by Robert Sapolsky is a groundbreaking exploration of human behavior, delving deep into the complex interplay between our biology, environment, and cultural influences. Through extensive research and engaging storytelling, Sapolsky reveals the remarkable intricacies of the human brain and how it shapes our actions and decisions.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, Sapolsky combines neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and genetics to shed light on the underlying factors that drive our behaviors. He discusses the role of neurotransmitters, hormones, and genes in influencing our responses, as well as the impact of social dynamics and stress on our daily lives.

The book tackles a wide range of topics, including morality, aggression, free will, addiction, and empathy. Sapolsky challenges conventional viewpoints, unveiling the nuance and complexity that underscore our actions. He examines the ways in which our behavior is shaped in early development and how it can be shaped through interventions and societal changes.

Drawing upon his extensive research and expertise, Sapolsky emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of behavior. He argues that by comprehending the intricate interplay between biology and environment, we can strive towards a more compassionate and just society.

As much a captivating scientific exploration as it is an insightful commentary on human nature, "Behave" offers readers a fresh perspective on what drives human behavior and how we can navigate and shape our own lives in a complex world.

Explore More Books

See All
Math, Better Explained
The Unquiet Grave
Diaspora
The Cold Start Problem
Devil Take the Hindmost
The Innovators
The First Conspiracy
The Art of Stillness
I Contain Multitudes
Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Thinking and Deciding
A Father First
Blueprint
The Old Way
Think Like a Monk
With the Old Breed
Hunger of Memory
Into The Silence
A Hall of Mirrors
Down to Earth
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Laws of Thermodynamics
The Gallic Wars
Knowledge and The Wealth of Nations
Bowling Alone
Tuxedo Park
How To Live
The Measure of Reality
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Built To Last
In FED We Trust
The Power Broker
A Cultural History of Physics
With All Due Respect
The Righteous Mind
Work Rules!
Successful Investing is a Process
The Theory of Investment Value
Plowman's Folly
How Google Works
Permanent Record
To Sell is Human
The Peacemaker's Code
What Works on Wall Street
Acid Test
Who
Epic Measures
Surface Detail
The Power of Broke
Into Thin Air
How Buildings Learn
The Piano Tuner
Hyperbole and a Half
Necessary Dreams
Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic
Living Within Limits
Scotland
Six Thinking Hats
Pandemic 1918
Who's In Charge
Trump: America First
Parasite Rex
Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
Tools and Weapons
The Agile Gene
The Fish That Ate The Whale
The Lord of the Rings
The Supermen
Queen of Fashion
Dealing with Darwin
Means Of Ascent
The Craft
Your Symphony of Selves
One of a Kind
Things Never To Tell Children
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting
Levels of the Game
Red Star Over The Pacific
Hornblower Saga
Water in Plain Sight
Diet for a Small Planet
The Grapes of Wrath
Wild And Crazy Guys
Decrypting Money
The Emotion Code
You
Great Expectations
Biography of the Dollar
I Love Capitalism
Chaos Monkeys
Conscious Business
From Bacteria to Bach and Back
Cradle to Cradle
The Secret of Fatima
Competing in the Age of AI
Jane Eyre
Turtles All The Way Down
Tent Life in Siberia