The Fitness of Human Nature Summary and Analysis

Human nature involves patterns in mental development while connecting genes to culture. It can be viewed as the evolution of the epigenetic rules. Culture determines genes that underlie human nature. The brain decides what happens to the genes that prescribed it. Some brains make better choices and are more fit for survival. Culture as part of human existence is influenced by human action and genes, while it also influences such actions as well.

The epigenetic rules can be cross-cultural and predispose to invent cultural conventions, such councils or ceremonies. Genetic evolution prepares the brain to respond equally to all experiences through biased mental development. Behavioral genes produce behaviors that assure Darwinian fitness, such as kin selection, where relatives care most deeply for their closest relatives, parental investment, where parents invest in their offspring...