How Humans Adapt

Dr. Donald J. Ortner is a curator at the Smithsonian's Department of Anthropology. His research concentrates on evidence of disease, evolution of host-parasite relationships in infection, the human immune response to disease, and the significance of disease in human biocultural adaptation

• Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 List of Participants Part 4 Prolog: Technological and Social Adaptations to the Future Part 5 1. The Natural Past and the Human Future: An Introductory Essay Chapter 6 Commentary Chapter 7 Commentary Part 8 2. Parental Investment: The Hominid Adaptation Chapter 9 Commentary Part 10 3. Some Base Lines for Human Evolution and the Genetic Implications of Recent Cultural Developments Chapter 11 Commentary Part 12 4. The Transition to Agriculture and Some of its Consequences Chapter 13 Commentary Part 14 5. Biocultural Interaction in Human Adaptation Chapter 15 Commentary Chapter 16 Commentary Chapter 17 Commentary Part 18 6. Explaining the Course of Human Events Chapter 19 Commentary Chapter 20 Commentary Chapter 21 Commentary Part 22 7. Earth Resources and Population: An Archaeological Perspective Chapter 23 Commentary Chapter 24 Commentary Part 25 8. Food: Past, Present, and Future Chapter 26 Commentary Part 27 9. Food, Energy, and Technology: Perspectives from Developing Countries Chapter 28 Commentary Chapter 29 Commentary Part 30 10. Changing Aspirations for Mental and Physical Health Chapter 31 Commentary Chapter 32 Commentary Part 33 11. Population Growth: Current Issues and Strategies Chapter 34 Commentary Part 35 12. Demographic and Microstructural History in Relation to Human Adaptation: Reflections on Newly Established Evidence Chapter 36 Commentary Chapter 37 Commentary Part 38 13. The Environment of the City Chapter 39 Commentary Chapter 40 Commentary Part 41 14. World Society: The Range of Possible Futures Chapter 42 Commentary Chapter 43 Commentary Part 44 15. The Future of Democracy Chapter 45 Commentary Part 46 16. Education and Adaptation for the Future Chapter 47 Commentary Chapter 48 Commentary Part 49 17. Ethical issues in the Human Future Chapter 50 Commentary Chapter 51 Commentary Part 52 18. Toward a New Understanding of Human Nature: The Limits of Individualism Chapter 53 Commentary Chapter 54 Commentary Part 55 Epilog: Adaptability: A Curse or a Technique of Survival?