Becoming Human

By Michael Tomasello,

Book cover of Becoming Human: A Theory of Ontogeny

Book description

A radical reconsideration of how we develop the qualities that make us human, based on decades of cutting-edge experimental work by the former director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

Virtually all theories of how humans have become such a distinctive species focus on evolution. Here, Michael Tomasello…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Becoming Human as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Michael Tomasello and his research colleagues have developed a theory of human nature development based on a wealth of empirical material, and they explain in detail in what ways we differ from other species in nature.

A fascinating fact is that the evolution of the human species, as far as it can be reconstructed, can also be traced within child development with things like learning how to communicate, cooperate, and eventually think morally as mature human beings.

Given this grand overview, it becomes easier to understand why some societies are more appreciated by their members than others.

Want books like Becoming Human?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Becoming Human.

Browse books like Becoming Human

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in evolution, evolutionary biology, and natural selection?

Evolution 155 books