Why War?

The Tinbergen Method for explaining animal behavior is applied to war to better understand why conflict is resilient. Christopher Coker explores the four questions of our past and present, and looks at our post-human future, assessing how far scientific advances in gene-editing, robotics, and AI systems will de-center human agency. He concludes that we won't witness war's end until it has exhausted its evolutionary possibilities, meaning that war is likely to remain the human thing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The origins of humanity's biological nature remain a subject of intense investigation and debate. While scientists have made significant strides in understanding the evolution of our species, many questions remain unanswered. One of the central questions is the mechanisms that have driven humanity's evolution over time. Culture, social structures, and technological advancements have all played a role in shaping our development, but it is still unclear how these factors have contributed to our unique biological characteristics.

Another important aspect of understanding humanity's biological origins is the history that has allowed us to evolve. Our ancestors faced numerous challenges, including natural disasters, climate change, and competition for resources. Through these challenges, they developed adaptations and strategies that helped them survive and thrive. These adaptations may have included physical characteristics such as strong muscles, sharp teeth, or enhanced cognitive abilities.

In addition to these biological and historical factors, it is also important to consider the functions of humanity. What are the reasons why we exist as a species? How do we survive and thrive by exploiting the features that define us as a species? These questions have been the subject of much speculation and debate, with many theories suggesting that our primary function is to reproduce and spread our genes. However, there are also arguments that our purpose is more complex and multifaceted, including the development of culture, technology, and social structures.

The Tinbergen Method, developed by the Nobel Prize-winning Dutch ethologist Niko Tinbergen, is a framework for explaining animal behavior. This method focuses on four key questions: what are the mechanisms that drive behavior? What is the history that has allowed behavior to evolve? What are the functions of behavior? And how does behavior survive and thrive by exploiting the features that define it as a species?

While the Tinbergen Method has been widely applied to the study of animal behavior, it has also been suggested that it can be used to understand human behavior. This approach contends that applying this method to war, which is unique to humans, can help us better understand why conflict is so resilient. Christopher Coker, in his book "Why War?" explores these four questions of our past and present, and looks at our post-human future, assessing how far scientific advances in gene-editing, robotics, and AI systems will de-center human agency. He concludes that we will not witness war's end until it has exhausted its evolutionary possibilities, meaning that war is likely to remain what Thucydides first called it: the human thing.

From the Ancients to Artificial Intelligence, "Why War?" is an exhilarating tour de horizon of humankind's propensity to warfare and its behavioral underpinnings, offering new ways of thinking about our species' unique and deadly preoccupation. This book provides a comprehensive examination of the factors that have driven humanity's evolution, the history that has shaped our development, and the functions that define us as a species. It also raises important questions about our future, including the potential impact of scientific advances on our ability to control and prevent conflict.

In conclusion, the origins of humanity's biological nature remain a subject of intense investigation and debate. While scientists have made significant strides in understanding our evolution, many questions remain unanswered. By exploring the mechanisms that have driven humanity's evolution, the history that has allowed us to thrive, and the functions that define us as a species, we can gain a deeper understanding of our past and present. This knowledge can help us develop strategies for preventing conflict and promoting peace in the future.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 148 x 223 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787383890