Quest: The Essence of Humanity [Hardcover]

"…I can recommend Quest: The Essence of Humanity...one of the most thought–provoking books to come my way for some time…" (The Sunday Telegraph., 20 July 2003)

"…fluent, fast–moving…Quest is controversial…which all ambitious works like this one should be…" (New Scientist, 23 August 2003)

"…I really enjoyed this book…What impressed me throughout was Parsternak’s use of science…" (M2 Best Books, 7 December 2003)

"…I can recommend Quest: The Essence of Humanity...one of the most thought–provoking books to come my way for some time…" (The Sunday Telegraph., 20 July 2003)

"…fluent, fast–moving…Quest is controversial…which all ambitious works like this one should be…" (New Scientist, 23 August 2003)

"…This goal seems rather grandiose. But Pasternak succeeds, and in doing so provides a profusion of facts and good science…" (Times Literary Supplement, 7 November 2003)

"…I really enjoyed this book…What impressed me throughout was Parsternak’s use of science…" (M2 Best Books, 7 December 2003)

 

"..I really enjoyed this book..What impressed me throughout was Parsternak's use of science.."

An intriguing work of history, philosophy, and popular science that explores the human desire to quest.

Scientists continually look for the genetic factors that make humans so very different in appearance and behaviour from most animals – the genes that are uniquely human. Respected biochemist and author Charles Pasternak argues that such genes do not exist. Instead, he suggests that it is our desire to quest – for food and shelter, for knowledge, for wealth, for adventure – coupled with our unique physical abilities to do so that have controlled our evolution and have led humans to develop away from closely related animals.

In this intriguing work of history, philosophy, and popular science, Pasternak uses his extensive biological knowledge to discuss man′s nature and achievements, his genetic makeup, and his evolution.

For years science, philosophy and religion have sought to find the single factor that makes humans different from other animals. Many confidently expected to find a human gene – a single element possessed by no other animal that made us unique. Charles Pasternak believes that such a gene does not exist. Humans differ from other primates only in small changes of genes that are common to both.

Pasternak argues that it is the heightened ability of humans to quest beyond their immediate needs that has driven human development. The upright human posture, together with physically skilful hands, a sophisticated vocal cord and three times as many cortical neurons as a chimpanzee, have put humans in their highly advantageous position.

This thoughtful work spans science, philosophy, religion and the arts, to examine the past and the future of the human race.

From Homer to Star Wars humans have been driven by quest. Ever since man first walked he has sought for food and shelter, for knowledge, for wealth, and adventure. It has been the driving force behind human development, the inspiration for exploration, for discovery and for the development of great civilisations. It is in man’s very nature to seek, not just for basic needs or personal comfort, but also beyond his own requirements or those of his generation – to climb mountains because they are there, to study and experiment for the sake of knowledge, and to voyage to the moon and beyond.

In this epic work Charles Pasternak traces life on earth from the most primitive cells, through ancient civilizations and the great artists, scientists, writers and explorers of the past, to the genetic engineers of today. In a thought–provoking view of the history of mankind he argues that it is not any single genetic difference, but a combination of very subtle changes that has enabled man to exercise a greater propensity for quest. It is this that has led to our domination over other species.

Conversely, he argues that a weakening in the exercise of this basic instinct among the western nations will lead to a decline in their influence, relative to that of eastern populations such as those of China and India, south east Asia and Japan.

Charles A. Pasternak is a biochemist and founding Director of the Oxford International Biomedical Centre. His previous academic experience has included research and teaching posts at the universities of Oxford, London (St George’s Medical School), Yale and California (UCSD Medical School). While at St George’s Medical School, he was founder and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, which he later expanded into the Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences.

Charles Pasternak is acclaimed for his pioneering work in membrane research and is a tireless promoter of international collaboration, working with UNESCO, IUBMB and universities worldwide. He is the author of a number of books and is editor–in–chief of a scientific journal. He has recently turned his attention to communicating scientific subjects to a broader readership.

Charles comes from a highly talented family. He is nephew of Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor Zhivago, and grandson of Leonid Pasternak, the Russian Impressionist painter.