Are You There God? It's Me, Darwin

Why are we cruel? Why are we kind? Charles Darwin, the father of modern biology, wrestled with these very questions in order to explain the human race, struggling to fit a loving God into a harsh and challenging universe.

Animal behavior scientist and evolutionary biologist Jacob Johnson’s entertaining new take on Darwin’s work explores his crisis of faith, the origin of morality and the evolution of “good” and “evil.” From trees that help their neighbors to whales that mount daring rescues, Johnson’s book provides optimistic insight into what the natural world reveals about who we are and how we got here.

Reviews

BookLife EDITOR'S PICK
"Animal behavior scientist Johnson blends science, ethics, and an imaginative retelling of history to explore how evolution, rooted in Charles Darwin’s theories, can provide a firm basis for ethical behavior in humans. “Those who thought that Darwin’s biological theories destroyed the foundations of morality were wrong,” Johnson writes, going on to assert that “evolution made those foundations stronger.” Here, he spells out with sensitivity how Darwin carefully sifted humankind’s differentiation between right and wrong, pairing contemporary research not available to Darwin at the time with his theories on the evolution of morality. Each chapter opens with a piece of Darwin’s story before diving into natural history and its ethical implications, from parasitism to the Theory of Mind.

"Ultimately, Johnson finds morality rooted in humanity’s biological imperative to survive and adapt, loudly proclaiming that “Charles Darwin… was not an atheist. He was a deist who struggled with the idea of the universe’s benevolent design.” Urging readers to view Darwin through the lens of his 19th-century belief system, Johnson runs through how morals have changed over centuries and highlights the role of both nature and nurture in their development. Springing from those observations is Johnson’s insistence that humans must continue to evolve our moral systems, and he offers a slew of ideas to do just that, from creating “friendly” climate change competition between countries to seeding life in other solar systems. For those interested in digging further into the science behind his assessments, he includes extensive references, as well as detailed photographs that illustrate the guide’s main concepts.

Skeptical readers may not be completely persuaded by Johnson’s optimism that humans are basically good, but his meticulous formation of scientific background, combined with his careful presentation of the history behind Darwin’s theories, makes an intriguing case. Readers seeking a way to integrate rigorous scientific inquiry with moral imperatives will appreciate this unique blend of science and history.

Takeaway: Intriguing analysis of humankind’s potential for morality, rooted in Darwinism."

"An immensely entertaining, engaging and FUN book by a brilliant young behavioral ecologist - using a wealth of 'whoa, that's cool' stories about the natural world (including humans, of course) to lead us on a journey of thought-provoking ideas about human nature and the evolution of morality." - Andrew Sih, Award-Winning Professor of Ecology, UC Davis.

"Philosophy, ecology, genetics, and morality: this incredibly well written and accessible book has it all."
Renowned Climate Scientist Anthony Wexler, founder of Air Quality Research Center.