Homo Plasticus – The Myth of the Unchanging Human
Publisher: Ten Have
The Science of Our Adaptability
‘I can’t help it’ or ‘That’s just the way I am’ are common statements about our adaptability. It is easy to believe in humans as unchangeable beings. Even experts keep reminding us of our static nature, disposition and personality. But is this really true?
In this compellingly written book, Roel Verheul reveals how the latest research debunks this myth of immutability. Evidence from evolutionary biology, genetics and psychology show that we are born adaptors, who constantly change as our environment changes. This process is explained in this fascinating book, which brings the reader up to date with the latest scientific insights into the nature of human being and shows what our greatest strength is: our unrivalled ability to adapt and change.
Praise:
‘An important book: to my knowledge, the first thorough survey in our linguistic domain of what is known and can be used as reliable knowledge in the current neuro- and psychological sciences (…) Verheul knows this field particularly well and constantly brings in the necessary and very often missing nuances.’ – Rik Pinxten, professor of anthropology at Ghent University, review in De Wereld Morgen
‘Insights from evolutionary theory, genetics and psychology show that humans are talented adapters, kneaders or shapers, always changing as their environment changes. Indeed, the book shows what the greatest strength of humans is, the ‘Homo Plasticus’: their unique and unparalleled ability to adapt and change.’ – Stretto
Rights sold to Turkey (Paloma Yayınevi) and Russia (Eksmo)
