- +27 82 328 2755
- [email protected]
- The Old Mushroom Farm, 11 Karkloof Rd, Howick, RSA
R0.00
R125.00
What makes Dark Nature — A Natural History of Evil compelling is its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the darker sides of life and human behaviour through the lens of science. Watson synthesises real‑world examples—from animal behaviour to historical human violence—to illustrate how “evil” behaviours are neither random nor solely moral failings, but complex outcomes of evolutionary dynamics.
Sold
This copy has found a new home. We buy and source books like this, so WhatsApp us and we will look out for another copy for you.
WhatsApp usIn stock now, like this one
Datsun Cherry '79 - '82 Owner's Repair ManualR150.00
A Century of South African Naval History - The South African Navy and its Predecessors 1922–2022 by André Wessels (Signed)R295.00
Civics - An Introduction to South African Social Problems by R.J. Hall (11th Edition, 1927)R175.00
Oppenheimer and Son by Anthony HockingR195.00This product is currently out of stock.
Enter your email and we'll notify you as soon as it's back!
Dark Nature — A Natural History of Evil by Lyall Watson is a thought‑provoking and intellectually ambitious exploration of what we call “evil,” first published in 1995 by Hodder & Stoughton. In this landmark work, Watson—an acclaimed biologist, naturalist and author—challenges conventional moral and philosophical explanations by reframing evil as a biological and ecological phenomenon rooted in evolution and the natural order. Dark Nature — A Natural History of Evil draws on an interdisciplinary array of research from evolutionary ethology, anthropology, psychology and biology to examine how behaviours commonly labelled as evil may emerge from mechanisms that once had adaptive value in the animal kingdom and in human evolution.
From the outset, Dark Nature — A Natural History of Evil questions whether evil is uniquely human or a broader natural force. Watson defines evil broadly as anything that disrupts ecological stability, balance and community integrity, from predatory aggression in animals to human atrocities that defy easy moral explanation. Through clear yet dense prose, he considers how violence, aggression and social disruption can be interpreted as products of evolutionary pressures rather than supernatural forces or purely cultural constructs. His inquiry intersects biology and ethics, provocatively suggesting that traits once useful for survival can manifest destructively in modern contexts when freed from ecological constraints.
What makes Dark Nature — A Natural History of Evil compelling is its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the darker sides of life and human behaviour through the lens of science. Watson synthesises real‑world examples—from animal behaviour to historical human violence—to illustrate how “evil” behaviours are neither random nor solely moral failings, but complex outcomes of evolutionary dynamics. This interdisciplinary perspective invites readers to reconsider their assumptions about morality, choice and human nature in a way that is both intellectually challenging and deeply relevant to understanding societal conflicts and personal behaviours.
Condition: Near Fine – No notable defects
