Description

Book Synopsis
Why are we so often in conflictarguing with ourselves and with others, uncertain over who we are what we need from our lives?In The Animal and the Idea, the world-leading, pioneering neuroscientist John Duncan explains that each of us is not just one person we are two. On one side are our animal instincts, built on the sophisticated needs of human life through evolution, but struggling to navigate the complexity of modern life. On the other side is our rational brain which calculates and cogitates, but is often helpless in the face of bigger questions of meaning and purpose. Dovetailing these two competing sides of ourselves, Duncan draws on a lifetime's pioneering work to attack puzzles that have concerned thinkers, writers and philosophers through human history. Right and wrong. Freedom and responsibility. Women and men. Democracy and justice. Ambition and fulfilment. Understanding how these two sides of ourselves interact offers revealing and often surprising answers to some

The Animal and the Idea

    Product form

    A Hardback by John Duncan

    £22.50

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £25.00 – you save £2.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 18 Sep 2026.

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Animal and the Idea by John Duncan

      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Ebury Publishing
      Published 7 October 2025
      ISBN-13 9780753560921
      978-0753560921
      ISBN-10 0753560925
      Also in:
      Politics, Philosophy & Society Behaviourism, Behavioural theory

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Why are we so often in conflictarguing with ourselves and with others, uncertain over who we are what we need from our lives?In The Animal and the Idea, the world-leading, pioneering neuroscientist John Duncan explains that each of us is not just one person we are two. On one side are our animal instincts, built on the sophisticated needs of human life through evolution, but struggling to navigate the complexity of modern life. On the other side is our rational brain which calculates and cogitates, but is often helpless in the face of bigger questions of meaning and purpose. Dovetailing these two competing sides of ourselves, Duncan draws on a lifetime's pioneering work to attack puzzles that have concerned thinkers, writers and philosophers through human history. Right and wrong. Freedom and responsibility. Women and men. Democracy and justice. Ambition and fulfilment. Understanding how these two sides of ourselves interact offers revealing and often surprising answers to some

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account