Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Open Session)

We will be reading:
Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Open Session)
by David M. Buss

Format
Selective Reading: chapters 2, 11, 12, optionally 6 and 9.
This session is part of our Open Session format: discussion-driven and accessible to a range of reading backgrounds.

“We carry with us the mechanisms of a Stone Age mind in a modern skull.”

Core reading focuses on few chapters (–80 pages depending on edition) that introduce the framework and one of its most relevant applications.
Required:
Chapter 2 — The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology
Introduces the central idea that the human mind contains evolved psychological mechanisms shaped by recurring survival and social problems faced by our ancestors.
Chapter 12 — Status, Prestige, and Social Dominance
Explores why status matters so deeply to people, including competition, reputation, admiration, envy, hierarchy, and social comparison.
Chapter 11 — Conflict Between the Sexes
Examines how men and women can have overlapping yet conflicting interests in mating, commitment, jealousy, and relationships.
Optional:
Chapter 6 — Short-Term Sexual Strategies
Looks at attraction, novelty-seeking, risk-taking, and the psychology behind casual mating strategies.
Chapter 9 — Cooperative Alliances
Explores friendship, reciprocity, loyalty, coalitions, and why cooperation can emerge among self-interested individuals.

About
This session explores one of the most influential and controversial approaches in modern psychology:
that many aspects of human behaviour — including love, rivalry, status-seeking, jealousy, friendship, and self-interest — may be shaped by evolved mental tendencies rather than purely culture or conscious choice.
We’ll explore:

• whether evolutionary psychology genuinely explains human behaviour or oversimplifies it
• why status and comparison can affect wellbeing so strongly
• how biological drives interact with culture, morality, and reason
• whether understanding hidden motives can make us wiser or more cynical

Connections to Previous Readings
Hidden motives & unconscious drives:
Civilization and Its Discontents, The Denial of Death
Status, striving, dissatisfaction:
The World as Will and Representation (Vol. 2), The Happiness Hypothesis
Love, desire, conflict:
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Self and illusion:
The Ego Tunnel: The Science of the Mind and the Myth of the Self

Note
Open Sessions are relaxed and accessible. No prior background is needed, and joining even with partial reading is welcome.