← Back to Concept Index
human-innovativeness
The capacity of humans to invent and adapt technologically and socially while maintaining biological imperatives.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Naked Ape (1967)Desmond Morris
Chapter 9
In this introduction to The Naked Ape, Desmond Morris reflects on the controversial reception of his 1967 book, which presented humans as just another animal species driven by biological urges. He discusses the resistance from religious, political, and social perspectives to viewing humans through a zoological lens, and outlines the subsequent volumes in his trilogy that explore human behavior in urban environments and intimate relationships. Morris emphasizes the importance of understanding our animal nature to appreciate human success and adaptability despite modern challenges.