The Moral Animal: Why We Are The Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Cover
Podcast Mentions

The Moral Animal Why We Are The Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary

Robert Wright

Are men literally born to cheat? Does monogamy actually serve women's interests? These are among the questions that have made The Moral Animal one of the most provocative science books in recent years. Wright unveils the genetic strategies behind everything from our sexual preferences to our office...

Podcasts 5
Quotes 15
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The Tucker Carlson Show

Podcast

The Tucker Carlson Show

Dave Collum mentioned having read the book, noting it explained that selfdelusion allows people to be truthful while deceiving opponents. He later cited the book's claim about the purpose of selfdelusion in human behavior.

"

I read a book called The Moral Animal.

— Episode: Dave Collum: Financial Crisis, Diddy, En...

Episode: Dave Collum: Financial Crisis, Diddy, Energy Weapo...

Dave Collum mentioned having read the book, noting it explained that selfdelusion allows people to be truthful while deceiving opponents. He later cited the book's claim about the purpose of selfdelusion in human behavior.

"

I read a book called The Moral Animal.

And actually in this book, The Moral Animal, they say the reason we selfdelude is so that you can be truthful and deceive your opponent.

Modern Wisdom

Podcast

Modern Wisdom

The book was highlighted as a foundational introduction to evolutionary psychology, with one guest noting it sparked his interest and remained a great read decades after publication. It was also recommended as a solid starting point for understanding sex differences, and the host described it as his coming‑of‑age "red pill" that still largely holds up after nearly thirty years.

Highly Recommended

Episode: #835 - 2.5M Q&A - Naval Ravikant, Quitting Alcohol...

It was recommended as a good starting point for understanding sex differences and evolutionary psychology, along with a few other titles.

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the ape who understood the universe by steve stewart uh the moral animal by robert wright the happiness hypothesis by jonathan height um richard reeves of boys and men uh billy no mates another good book

Episode: #686 - Dr Gad Saad - 8 Strategies For Avoiding A L...

It was mentioned as the podcast host's coming of age read on evolutionary psychology, and he noted it's still relevant even after nearly 30 years.

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My coming of age red pill was The Moral Animal. Robert Wright's first one. I mean, what's that? 91, 92, 93. That book probably.

Well, dude, nearly 30 years and it still holds up. It's still read. There's some stuff that's like less so, but largely it's phenomenal.

Episode: #960 - Dr Jerry Coyne - The Spiciest Ideas Of Evol...

Coyne recalled reading Wright's 1993 book years ago, calling it still fantastic and influential for understanding human behavior.

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I got into evolutionary theory through Robert Wright's book from 1993? 1993? 1993? 1992? The Moral Animal. ... that book is still fucking fantastic. I love it.

Episode: #931 - Arthur Brooks - Harvard Professor Reveals T...

The speaker recalled reading it years ago, noting that despite a small replication crisis the book remains compelling and was a favorite that introduced him to evolutionary psychology.

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The Moral Animal from 1991 or 1992 or something. It's still, there's some of the stuff, a little replication crisis, but most of it's shit hot. And I loved it.

Episode: #574 - 600k Q&A - Masculinity Crisis, Overrated Th...

He recommended The Moral Animal by RobertWright as a primer for evolutionary psychology.

"

The Moral Animal by Robert Wright.

10% Happier with Dan Harris

Podcast

10% Happier with Dan Harris

This title was cited as one of the best-selling, sciencey books authored by Robert Wright.

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He's written a bunch of best-selling, sciencey books, including the evolution of God, non-zero, the moral animal.

— Episode: Robert Wright, 'Why Buddhism is True' (B...

Episode: Robert Wright, 'Why Buddhism is True' (Bonus!)

This title was cited as one of the best-selling, sciencey books authored by Robert Wright.

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He's written a bunch of best-selling, sciencey books, including the evolution of God, non-zero, the moral animal.

Episode: Robert Wright, 'Why Buddhism is True' (Bonus!)

This was mentioned as one of the sciencey, best-selling books Robert Wright had previously written.

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He's written a bunch of best-selling, sciencey books, including the evolution of God, non-zero, the moral animal.

The Daily Stoic

Podcast

The Daily Stoic

It was a pivotal book for the podcast host, introducing him to evolutionary psychology. He revisited highlighted passages from his 2005 copy to prepare for this interview.

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This book, The Moral Animal by Robert Wright, was a total quake book game changer for me.

— Episode: Author Robert Wright on Buddhism vs Stoi...

Episode: Author Robert Wright on Buddhism vs Stoicism

It was a pivotal book for the podcast host, introducing him to evolutionary psychology. He revisited highlighted passages from his 2005 copy to prepare for this interview.

"

This book, The Moral Animal by Robert Wright, was a total quake book game changer for me.

It introduced me to the concepts of evolutionary psychology and so much more.

I didn't know that many years later he'd write another favorite book of mine, Why Buddhism Is True.

One might think what does the ideas in the Moral Animal, which is my favorite book of yours, connect to your work on Buddhism?

You say, we are built to be effective animals, not happy ones.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.