by William G. Lycan Abstracted from ‘Qualitative experience in machines,’ The Digital Phoenix: How computers are changing philosophy. 1. Many people, perhaps most people, have the idea that, however problematic qualitative experience is for the...

by Dan Batson We humans spend a remarkable amount of time, money, and energy to benefit others, including family, friends, and strangers. Why do we do it? Do we ever care about others for their sakes and not simply for our own? Is our ultimate goal...

by Raymond Tallis Does evolution explain our behaviour? The short answer is: No. And you may well concur with that answer but ‘out there’ there is an increasing constituency of thinkers claiming quite otherwise. Along with the claims that the...

by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy I am an anthropologist and primate sociobiologist who seeks to understand, step by Darwinian step, how apes could have evolved to imagine and care about what the lives of others might be like.  I believe that such questing for...

Periodically, the editors of On the Human will share links to current research and news concerning topics relevant to this website and the discussions that take place here. Today is our first installment in what will be an ongoing effort. Thanks to...