In this groundbreaking book, bestselling author and scientist Hauser debates that the dominant view of moral judgment in humans is not that we reach moral decisions by consciously reasoning from what society determines is right or wrong, but that over time, humans have developed a moral instinct.

In his groundbreaking book, Marc Hauser puts forth a revolutionary new theory: that humans have evolved a universal moral instinct, unconsciously propelling us to deliver judgments of right and wrong independent of gender, education, and religion. Combining his cutting-edge research with the latest findings in cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, economics, and anthropology, Hauser explores the startling implications of his provocative theory vis-à-vis contemporary bioethics, religion, the law, and our everyday lives.