The Origins of Virtue

Matt Ridley

Penguin Books Limited, Oct 30, 1997 - Psychology - 304 pages

Why are people nice to each other? What are the reasons for altrusim? Matt Ridley explains how the human mind has evolved a special instinct for social exchange, offering a lucid and persuasive argument about the paradox of human benevolence.

About the author

MATT RIDLEY is a research fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs and a Trustee of the International Centre for Life, living in Northumberland. His last book, The Red Queen, was short-listed for the Rhone-Poulenc Prize for science books and the Writers' Guild Award for non-fiction.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Origins of Virtue
• Author: Matt Ridley
• Publisher: Penguin Books Limited, 1997
• ISBN: 0141927054, 9780141927053
• Length: 304 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Cognitive Neuroscience & Cognitive Neuropsychology; Psychology / Social Psychology; Science / General; Science / Life Sciences / Evolution; Science / Life Sciences / Neuroscience; Social Science / Sociology / General