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Lead book review

Was there ever a time of equality in human society?

Living in open savannahs, men and women had no choice but to cooperate. But evolution caused men to fight and dominate, resulting in sexism and social hierarchy

18 November 2023

9:00 AM

18 November 2023

9:00 AM

Why Men? A Human History of Violence and Inequality Nancy Lindisfarne and Jonathan Neal

Hurst, pp.424, 25

Origin stories have always helped humans gain a moral compass. Locked in a tight embrace, the Maori deities Rangi and Papa are separated by their enveloped children, creating the distant father sky and nurturing Mother Earth, bringing light to the world. Mayan gods fashion man from maize after destroying earlier clay and wood versions, who are seen to have no soul.

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