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Randolph M. Nesse Books

1 book·~10 min total read

Randolph M. Nesse is an American psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist, known for his pioneering work in evolutionary medicine.

Known for: Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry

Books by Randolph M. Nesse

Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry

Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry

mental_health·10 min read

In this groundbreaking work, psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist Randolph M. Nesse explores why natural selection has left us vulnerable to mental disorders. Drawing on decades of research, Nesse argues that many psychological conditions—such as anxiety, depression, and addiction—can be better understood as evolutionary adaptations gone awry. By examining the evolutionary roots of emotions and mental health, the book offers a new framework for understanding the human mind and improving psychiatric care.

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The Evolutionary Perspective

When I first began to ask evolutionary questions about psychiatry, I realized that medicine had overlooked something fundamental: every part of the human body—every organ, every emotion—exists because it conferred some advantage in our evolutionary past. Natural selection shapes traits that help ind...

From Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry

2

Emotions as Adaptive Systems

Emotions have always puzzled scientists: they can feel irrational, yet drive the most vital decisions of life. From an evolutionary standpoint, they are functional systems designed to solve specific adaptive problems. Fear prepares the body for escape; anger mobilizes defense; sadness signals loss a...

From Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry

About Randolph M. Nesse

Randolph M. Nesse is an American psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist, known for his pioneering work in evolutionary medicine. He is a founding member of the field and co-author of 'Why We Get Sick'. Nesse has served as a professor at the University of Michigan and Arizona State University, where...

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Randolph M. Nesse is an American psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist, known for his pioneering work in evolutionary medicine. He is a founding member of the field and co-author of 'Why We Get Sick'. Nesse has served as a professor at the University of Michigan and Arizona State University, where he continues to research the evolutionary origins of emotions and mental disorders.

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Randolph M. Nesse is an American psychiatrist and evolutionary biologist, known for his pioneering work in evolutionary medicine.

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