In 'The Social Leap', William von Hippel explores the evolutionary journey of humanity, revealing how our social skills shaped our survival. He illustrates how navigating complex social landscapes was pivotal in our ancestors' adaptation and success. By intertwining psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, Von Hippel uncovers the secrets behind human behavior and social dynamics. The book challenges readers to rethink the significance of cooperation and competition in our daily lives. Prepare to embark on a fascinating journey that will transform your understanding of what it means to be human.
By William von Hippel
Published: 2018
""Our social instincts, honed over millions of years, shape not just our interactions but the very fabric of our societies, reminding us that to understand ourselves, we must first explore our evolutionary roots.""
In the compelling popular science tradition of Sapiens and Guns, Germs, and Steel, a groundbreaking and eye-opening exploration that applies evolutionary science to provide a new perspective on human psychology, revealing how major challenges from our past have shaped some of the most fundamental aspects of our being. The most fundamental aspects of our lives—from leadership and innovation to aggression and happiness—were permanently altered by the "social leap" our ancestors made from the rainforest to the savannah. Their struggle to survive on the open grasslands required a shift from individualism to a new form of collectivism, which forever altered the way our mind works. It changed the way we fight and our proclivity to make peace, it changed the way we lead and the way we follow, it made us innovative but not inventive, it created a new kind of social intelligence, and it led to new sources of life satisfaction. In The Social Leap, William von Hippel lays out this revolutionary hypothesis, tracing human development through three critical evolutionary inflection points to explain how events in our distant past shape our lives today. From the mundane, such as why we exaggerate, to the surprising, such as why we believe our own lies and why fame and fortune are as likely to bring misery as happiness, the implications are far reaching and extraordinary. Blending anthropology, biology, history, and psychology with evolutionary science, The Social Leap is a fresh and provocative look at our species that provides new clues about who we are, what makes us happy, and how to use this knowledge to improve our lives.
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“"Our social instincts, honed over millions of years, shape not just our interactions but the very fabric of our societies, reminding us that to understand ourselves, we must first explore our evolutionary roots."”
The Social Leap
By William von Hippel
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William von Hippel is an accomplished author and psychologist known for his expertise in the fields of social psychology and evolutionary psychology. He has authored several notable works, including 'The Social Leap: The New Evolutionary Science of Who We Are, Where We Come From, and What Makes Us Happy' and 'The Origin of Our Species.' His writing style is characterized by clarity and accessibility, making complex psychological concepts relatable to a broad audience.
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