Robert Sapolsky: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

We humans are a puzzling species.  No other animal comes close to our capacity for violently harming each other; yet at the same time, no other comes close to our capacity for cooperation, altruism, or compassion.  Most challengingly, the same motoric behavior can count as appalling or noble, depending on the context.  This lecture considers the biology of our context-dependent best and worst behaviors.  Crucially, true understanding requires a multi-disciplinary approach, as one must consider everything from neurobiological events over the course of seconds to evolutionary ones over the course of millions of years.  Robert Sapolsky is an extremely talented speaker and teacher whose course at Stanford University is one of the most popular classes on campus. He is the author of several works of nonfiction, including A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, and his most recent book this year Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. He is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius award. Image credit: L.A. Cicero 

Part of the Science and Society Initiative: A joint project with the the Laboratory for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology at Stanford University Medical School. 

Copies of Dr. Sapolsky's newest book Behave will be available for purchase during the event through the Stanford Bookstore. Dr. Sapolsky has kindly agreed to sign copies after the lecture.