Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct (Google eBook)

Michael McCullough

John Wiley & Sons, Jun 30, 2008 - Religion - 256 pages

Why is revenge such a pervasive and destructive problem? How can we create a future in which revenge is less common and forgiveness is more common? Psychologist Michael McCullough argues that the key to a more forgiving, less vengeful world is to understand the evolutionary forces that gave rise to these intimately human instincts and the social forces that activate them in human minds today. Drawing on exciting breakthroughs from the social and biological sciences, McCullough dispenses surprising and practical advice for making the world a more forgiving place.

Michael E. McCullough (Miami, Florida), an internationally recognized expert on forgiveness and revenge, is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he directs the Laboratory for Social and Clinical Psychology.

What people are saying

Review: Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct

User Review  - Kathy - Goodreads

I too was attracted after hearing Krista Tippett interview the author. My interest was in understanding forgiveness vs. revenge and wondering how we (societies) encourage more of the former and less of the latter toward a more peaceful world. I found the book interesting and informative.

Review: Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct

User Review  - Tricia Gonwa - Goodreads

absolutely loved it.

Contents

• Putting Vengeance and Forgiveness Back into Human Nature: 1
• Revenge Is a Problem Counting the Costs: 20
• Revenge Is a Solution Three Evolutionary Hypotheses: 41
• The Retribution Solution The Evidence for Adaptation: 62
• Family Friendship and the Functions of Forgiveness: 88
• The Forgiveness Instinct: 112
• The Forgiving Brain: 134
• To Promote and to Maintain Friendly Relations Making Forgiveness Happen: 157
• From Neurons to Nations: 181
• Divine Forgiveness and Righteous Revenge: 202
• Homo ignoscens: 224
• Notes: 239
• Bibliography: 261
• The Author: 283
• Index: 285

About the author

Michael E. McCullough is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he directs the Laboratory for Social and Clinical Psychology. His research is focused on human moral sentiments such as forgiveness, the desire for revenge, and gratitude. He also studies the evolutionary underpinnings and modern-day consequences of religious behavior.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct
• Author: Michael McCullough
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2008
• ISBN: 047026215X, 9780470262153
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Psychology of Religion