0415146143.Routledge.Chaos.and.Intoxication.Complexity.and.Adaptation.in.the.Structure.of.Human.Nature.Nov.1997.pdf

Chaos and Intoxication

Why are people often so unpredictable? Why do they do things which

can cause great personal harm even when they know this to be the

case? Chaos and Intoxication examines the nature of drug and alcohol

use, seeking to address these and many other enduring questions

through a detailed discussion of the chaotic nature of human existence.

Chaos and Intoxication explores three general areas, the first of which

is neurobiology and genetics. The evolution of the mind is examined

from a Darwinian perspective, drawing attention to the way chance and

uncertainty in development are structured by natural selection. Key

findings from current biological and medical research are reviewed, the

interrelationship between genetics and experience is explored, and Gerald

EdelmanÓs theory of the evolution of the mind through natural selection

is discussed. The second theme, cognition and collective action, is

considered in the light of evidence indicating that the way we think is

also subject to natural selection. Furthermore, it is argued that there is a

meaningful distinction between reason (adaptive rationality) and formal

rationality. Finally, recent research into chaos theory, order and

complexity is reviewed and the preceding discussions of biology,

psychology, the role of society and collective action are brought together

into a general theory of chaos and human nature.

Alan Dean is Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences at

the University of Hull.

Chaos and Intoxication

Complexity and adaptation in the

structure of human nature

Alan Dean

London and New York

First published 1997

by Routledge

11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada

by Routledge

29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2001.

¨ 1997 Alan Dean

utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now

known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any

information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from

the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Dean, Alan, 1950Î

Chaos and intoxication: complexity and adaptation in the structure of

human nature/Alan Dean.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Alcoholism. 2. Human behavior. 3. Chaotic behavior in systemsÎSocial

aspects. 4. Chaotic behavior in systemsÎPsychological aspects. I. Title.

HV5035.D4 1997

362.292Îdc21

97-2203

CIP

ISBN 0Î415Î14614Î3 (hbk)

ISBN 0Î415Î14615Î1 (pbk)

ISBN 0-203-13726-4 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-17910-2 (Glassbook Format)

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