num_pages: 196
description: Here is an innovative theory of the evolution of human behavior. The theory allows that evolution can account for many behaviors, but points out there are still no viable methods of counseling or therapy based on how humans evolved. And while genes do mold behavior, few human genes are different from those of chimps. The theory also allows that DNA is "selfish", but over the history of life DNA selected in ways that highly conserved genes could express a variety of organisms for little change to themselves. In a similar way, over millions of years neurology evolved towards increasing generalization, where learning neurology could adapt many needs for the same genetic design. These effects, concatenating at an advanced stage of life, restrict the available fitness pathways along which any species can evolve. Human ancestors evolved along a pathway in which fit adaptations were those that maximized the options of behavior, against a cost to evolve. This can account for many complexities of human behavior, such as why humans have morals, or experience religious awe. There is even a theory of psychology, derived from evolution, but viable in its own terms. This is not just criticism of current evolutionary explanations of human behavior, but a fresh approach to enduring problems, with original mechanisms and insights.
language: English
title: The Theory of Options: A New Theory of the Evolution of Human Behavior
titlecomplete: The Theory of Options: A New Theory of the Evolution of Human Behavior
publisher: Universal Pub