In this startling study of human emotion, Dacher Keltner investigates an
unanswered question of human evolution: If humans are hardwired to lead
lives that are "nasty, brutish, and short," why have we evolved with
positive emotions like gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion that
promote ethical action and cooperative societies? Born to Be Good
takes us on a journey through scientific discovery, personal narrative,
and Eastern philosophy. Positive emotions, Keltner finds, lie at the
core of human nature and shape our everyday behavior--and they just may
be the key to understanding how we can live our lives better.
NOTE: Some changes to the original text have been made with the author's
approval.