The Science of Good and Evil

In 'The Science of Good and Evil,' Michael Shermer investigates how humans evolved from social primates into moral beings, examining the biological, cultural, and psychological roots of morality.

Shermer argues that morality is a human universal, shaped by both evolutionary heritage and cultural history, and proposes a 'provisional morality'—a flexible, evidence-based ethical framework that avoids dogmatic absolutism and irrational relativism.

The book draws on a wide range of examples, from anthropological studies to psychological experiments, to challenge the notions of pure good and evil, and to advocate for a nuanced, compassionate understanding of human behavior.