The Biophilia Hypothesis

The Biophilia Hypothesis

Today's scientists offer a variety of perspectives on such theoretical issues as people's preference for trees that are climbable, fears of snakes and spiders as opposed to a lack of fear of knives, guns, and cars, and other topics. This timely collection of essays represents a first attempt to substantiate the biophilia hypothesis--the theory that humans have an innate affiliation with other living organisms--introduced by Wilson in his earlier book Biophilia (Harvard Univ. Pr., 1984) and further considered in his recent The Diversity of Life ( LJ 3/1/93). In the opening section, the editors categorize the different aspects of human behavior through which biophilia may be expressed. In the following chapters scientists from various disciplines review the relevant research, including scenic preference studies, evidence of therapeutic benefits from contact with animals and natural settings, and studies of cognitive functioning and language development in children and in hunter-gatherer cultures. Most of the contributors are committed conservationists concerned that our species will in its headlong rush for technological affluence discover too late how dependent the human personality is on biodiversity for emotional and spiritual health. Recommended for academic science collections and public libraries with a high interest in environmental studies. - Joan S. Elbers, formerly with Montgomery Coll., Rockville, Md. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Used Book in Good Condition