In this invaluable introduction to the study of human society, the author presents the influential theories of Aristotle, Hobbes, Smith, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Alfred Schutz.

With sales of more than a quarter of a million copies in its first edition, Seven Theories of Human Nature has established itself as a classic introduction to Western intellectual theory. Stevenson examines the works of Plato, Christ, Karl Marx, Conrad Lorenz, Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, and Jean-Paul Sartre, assessing each theorist on four points: his assessment of the nature of the universe and the nature of man, his view of the ills of the world, and his prescription for change. The result is an illuminating comparison of seven seminal theories of human nature.

A complete account of evolutionary thought in the social, environmental and policy sciences, creating bridges with biology.

Special interest categories: sociology; social economics; political science; globalisation. What determines individuals' rational behaviors in various social systems? How can we predict the long-term effects of a social policy? What governs the evolution path of human society? How will human society evolve in the future? This book addresses these perplexing questions about human society from a fresh angle. By applying engineering principles of control theory, game theory and information theory to fundamental social phenomena, Zhibo Zhang constructs a coherent scientific theory of human society and explores its real-world implications on domestic and international policies. Engineering Perspectives of Human Society analyzes the underlying governing mechanisms of human behaviors and makes a convincing case that seeking win-win solutions is in the best interests of all parties. Supported with historical facts, this book evaluates determining factors of the failure of various social structures including the Chinese feudal societies, Arabic civilisation and communist states. It discusses the fundamental reasons leading to the triumph of free-market capitalism as well as its potential failure modes. It presents an optimistic assessment of the future society and argues persuasively that the globalisation and the current global power distribution with the United States and its allies being the sole superpower will lead to a long-lasting world peace.

A superb introduction to the timeless struggle to understand human nature, this book compresses into a small volume the essence of such thinkers as Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Jean Paul Sartre, B.F. Skinner, and Plato.