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From Darwin to Eternity

The Implications for Psychology of Evolution at Every Level (Biological, Cultural, and Cosmological)

Wisdom
Does Science Really Say There’s No Purpose to Life?

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on August 4, 2017

Many scientists see humanity as just a cosmic accident. But in a recent journal article, I describe a natural process that could have endowed humanity with an ultimate purpose.

Many scientists see humanity as just a cosmic accident. But in a recent journal article, I describe a natural process that could have endowed humanity with an ultimate purpose.

Religion
Science and Religion: Compatible or Not?

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on July 31, 2017

Is there a worldview that would satisfy our psychological cravings for religion, without requiring us to sacrifice any dedication to science? There probably is, so stay tuned.

Is there a worldview that would satisfy our psychological cravings for religion, without requiring us to sacrifice any dedication to science? There probably is, so stay tuned.

Optimism
Why Progressive Humanist Values Will Ultimately Prevail

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on February 25, 2017

Increasing geopolitical instability may threaten progressive, Humanist values in the short-term. But here's why I'm optimistic that these values will ultimately prevail.

Increasing geopolitical instability may threaten progressive, Humanist values in the short-term. But here's why I'm optimistic that these values will ultimately prevail.

Religion
Can Life Have Meaning Without God?

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on September 24, 2015

Compared to traditional religions, naturalistic philosophies aren't very good at providing a transcendent meaning of life. Does this ruin their ability to complete with religion?

Compared to traditional religions, naturalistic philosophies aren't very good at providing a transcendent meaning of life. Does this ruin their ability to complete with religion?

Marriage
The Pros and Cons of Polygamy

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on July 24, 2015

With gay marriage now legal across the USA, some are suggesting that legal polygamy should be next. But would this really be a good idea?

With gay marriage now legal across the USA, some are suggesting that legal polygamy should be next. But would this really be a good idea?

Environment
Does Human Nature Make Genocide Inevitable?

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on July 14, 2015

I just appeared in a BBC debate about whether future genocide is inevitable. I said that it wasn't, especially if we utilize knowledge about human nature. Here's why I'm so optimistic about our evolved psychology and potential for peace.

I just appeared in a BBC debate about whether future genocide is inevitable. I said that it wasn't, especially if we utilize knowledge about human nature. Here's why I'm so optimistic about our evolved psychology and potential for peace.

Religion
The World Needs a Secular Community Revolution

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on July 9, 2015

The decline of religious community has made people less happy and less healthy. The solution is to create more naturalistic, secular, quasi-religious communities.

The decline of religious community has made people less happy and less healthy. The solution is to create more naturalistic, secular, quasi-religious communities.

Evolutionary Psychology
All Psychology Is Evolutionary Psychology

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on April 20, 2015

‘Evolutionary psychology’ is a redundancy, in that all psychology is evolutionary psychology. I mean this in the same sense that all anatomy is ‘evolutionary anatomy'.

‘Evolutionary psychology’ is a redundancy, in that all psychology is evolutionary psychology. I mean this in the same sense that all anatomy is ‘evolutionary anatomy'.

Altruism
Does Science Really Say That Hot Guys Are Jerks?

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on February 26, 2015

There have been many recent media stories—with titles like "Science Says: Hot Guys Are A-Holes"—about a new study on attractiveness and behavior. I was lead author on this study, and I'll clarify here what our study really showed.

There have been many recent media stories—with titles like "Science Says: Hot Guys Are A-Holes"—about a new study on attractiveness and behavior. I was lead author on this study, and I'll clarify here what our study really showed.

Marriage
Sugar, Salt, and Multiple Wives

Michael E. Price Ph.D. on September 23, 2014

In the human evolutionary past, certain resources (such as sugar, fat, and multiple mates) would have been great for survival and reproduction but difficult to acquire. How has the past elusiveness of these resources shaped human appetites for them?

In the human evolutionary past, certain resources (such as sugar, fat, and multiple mates) would have been great for survival and reproduction but difficult to acquire. How has the past elusiveness of these resources shaped human appetites for them?