Despite the many well-documented similarities -- genetic, cognitive, behavioral, social -- between our human selves and our evolutionary forebears, a significant gulf remains between us and them. Why is that? How did it come about? And how did we come to be the way we are?

This book brings together a diverse group of internationally recognised scholars -- including humanist, atheist, and theist voices -- to explore how and when human personhood emerged. Representing various disciplines, the contributors all offer significant insights into new scientific research about how humans emerged -- research that challenges some traditional views of human nature.

In a concluding chapter Malcolm Jeeves stands back and points out key features of the complex picture of human nature that has emerged through this volume. He further identifies points of both harmony and discord and notes questions yet to be tackled. Contributions by Francisco J. Ayala, Justin L. Barrett, Roy F. Baumeister, Warren S. Brown, Richard W. Byrne, Matthew J. Jarvinen, Malcolm Jeeves, Timothy O'Connor, Lynn K. Paul, Colin Renfrew, Ian M. Tattersall, Anthony C. Thiselton, Alan J. Torrance and Adam Zeman.