The Secret of Our Success

The question of why Homo sapiens is so unique and what the mystery of its incomprehensible evolutionary success is, is constantly explored by scientists and will probably continue to occupy them until the end of time. Professor Joseph Henrich, a renowned anthropologist and author of popular science books, offers a crucial shift in the approach to this question: it is necessary to take into account the influence of culture on our biology and genetics — intertwined, they together generate a unique complex of processes that shape our behavior and development. With fascinating examples, drawing on a vast array of scientific data from various disciplines studying humanity, Henrich builds an expanded and enriched picture of our evolutionary path. And unexpectedly, we find many answers to the eternally troubling questions: “Why do people behave the way they do in certain situations? Where do they get this or that from? Why are they so similar — and so different?”