---
product_id: 8853149
title: "Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny (Vintage)"
price: "₩49613"
currency: KRW
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.kr/products/8853149-nonzero-the-logic-of-human-destiny-vintage
store_origin: KR
region: South Korea
---

# Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny (Vintage)

**Price:** ₩49613
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny (Vintage)
- **How much does it cost?** ₩49613 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.kr](https://www.desertcart.kr/products/8853149-nonzero-the-logic-of-human-destiny-vintage)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

In his bestselling The Moral Animal , Robert Wright applied the principles of evolutionary biology to the study of the human mind. Now Wright attempts something even more ambitious: explaining the direction of evolution and human history–and discerning where history will lead us next. In Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny , Wright asserts that, ever since the primordial ooze, life has followed a basic pattern. Organisms and human societies alike have grown more complex by mastering the challenges of internal cooperation. Wright's narrative ranges from fossilized bacteria to vampire bats, from stone-age villages to the World Trade Organization, uncovering such surprises as the benefits of barbarian hordes and the useful stability of feudalism. Here is history endowed with moral significance–a way of looking at our biological and cultural evolution that suggests, refreshingly, that human morality has improved over time, and that our instinct to discover meaning may itself serve a higher purpose. Insightful, witty, profound, Nonzero offers breathtaking implications for what we believe and how we adapt to technology's ongoing transformation of the world.

Review: Blew my mind! - Robert Wright is an American journalist, scholar, and prize-winning author. In his landmark book `Nonzero - The Logic of Human Destiny'(1) he opens with the following quote from Charles Darwin: "As man advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent his sympathies extending to the men of all nations and races."(2) If we asked archeologists to present us with a list of archeological laws or truths, one of them would undoubtedly be that as we rise through soil samples two things happen: 1. We approach the artefacts of the present day 2. Artefacts grow in complexity These two facts together form the basis of Robert Wright's argument that the human race does indeed have a destiny and that destiny is greater complexity. Increasing Complexity in Human Civilisation In the first half of his book he takes us on a tour of the history of human civilisation from savages through tribes and chiefdom's to city states and nations. In doing so it becomes evident that human civilisation is in the process of creating larger and larger social brains. The culmination of which, through the growth of transport and communications technology, is perhaps happening in our lifetimes - the development of one planetary brain!!! Increasing Complexity in Organic Life In the second half of the book, Wright turns our attention to how the same pattern of a movement towards greater complexity, is also the case in organic life. Single cells work together by specialising in certain tasks to form more complex life forms. The single cell benefits from the increase in complexity and flourishes. This process continues until we end up with the bewilderingly complex organic life forms we see today. Just watch any program with Sir David Attenborough in it to marvel at how many niches in the environment have been exploited in some astonishing way. Game Theory as the Driver Wright believes that the driving force for all this is Game Theory and the seemingly limitless number of nonzero sum games that cam be played over billions of years. What is a nonzero sum game? Well an example of a zero sum game is tennis. When one person wins the other loses. So crudely put, the winner gains 1 and the loser loses 1. Sum total = 0. An example of a nonzero sum game is as follows: Imagine that you and I live in two different hunter gatherer tribes around 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. Let's also suggest that my tribe lives on the coast and your tribe lives in the hills. We would both be involved in activities that revolve around fishing, trapping, preparing food, repairing tools and turning by-products into useful items; for example: turning fur pelts into clothing. Because my tribe lives near the coast we have developed an advanced method of catching fish and often have a surplus of fish. Our traps, however, aren't as fruitful. As a result, red meat is a delicacy and we are poorly clothed. Meanwhile, up in the hills, your tribe have evolved trap technology. As a result you have a surplus of red meat and your wardrobe of clothes is astonishing. The challenge for your tribe is to vary the diet with the limited number of fish you can find and the time it takes to catch them. When we meet, we could either exchange fish for red meat and fur pelts or we could exchange fishing technology for trapping technology. Either way, through the exchange we are both better off and both tribes experience an increase in the quality of their lives through a varied diet and my tribe might become almost a well dressed as your tribe. This is a nonzero sum. Increasing Opportunities to Play Nonzero Games If we accept that nonzero games lead to a better quality of living through greater complexity (1850's London would have been a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there) then the question organisations and individuals would do well to ask themselves is how can I maximise my opportunities to play nonzero games? Here are some suggestions: * Take an honest interest in others for example: Friends, customers, team members etc. * When listening to someone talk about a problem or challenge they are facing, ask yourself "How can I help them over and above just giving advice?" * Say `Yes' more often - For a classic illustration on this read "Yes Man" by Danny Wallace. (3) Bibliography: (1) Wright, Robert; 2000 "Non Zero - The Logic of Human Destiny" Pantheon Books, New York (2) Darwin, Charles; 1871 "The Descent of Man" Published by John Murray, United Kingdom. (3) Wallace, Danny; 2005 "Yes Man", Simon Spotlight Entertainment, New York - London - Toronto - Sydney.
Review: Yet here we are with our Brains "switched on". - This is an outstanding read, even if you do not end up agreeing with everything, even most things the author lays out. The book covers Cultural Evolution, Biological Evolution, and the possibility that these processes have a Direction, Purpose,and Design(er) and Purpose, through the mechanism of Increasing Complexity driven by Cooperation in order to reap Zero Sum Benefits. The most compelling case is made for Cultural Evolution, Followed by Biological Evolution, and a distant third for Intelligent Design. Given that Cultural Evolution is currently on the threshold of a paradigm shift which we and our children will impact and be impacted by this discussion alone is worth the price of the book! There is an entire other sociology book waiting to be written on what options we as a species should consider as this paradigm shift (or singularity) approaches....Sadly Prof. Wright's spends very little time here and his prescriptions are less than heartening. Nonetheless the strong case he makes for the directional nature of Cultural Evolution and the divergent possible outcomes this represents are fascinating independently of whether one buys his arguments (or those of Stephen Jay Gould) regarding Biological Evolution.... for as the title of this review says..."Yet here we are with our Brains switched on!" as any readers is likely to be after finishing this book.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #244,010 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #422 in History of Civilization & Culture #456 in Systems & Planning #550 in Cultural Anthropology (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 235 Reviews |

## Images

![Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny (Vintage) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716DFOoJyTL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blew my mind!
*by R***S on April 15, 2013*

Robert Wright is an American journalist, scholar, and prize-winning author. In his landmark book `Nonzero - The Logic of Human Destiny'(1) he opens with the following quote from Charles Darwin: "As man advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and sympathies to all members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent his sympathies extending to the men of all nations and races."(2) If we asked archeologists to present us with a list of archeological laws or truths, one of them would undoubtedly be that as we rise through soil samples two things happen: 1. We approach the artefacts of the present day 2. Artefacts grow in complexity These two facts together form the basis of Robert Wright's argument that the human race does indeed have a destiny and that destiny is greater complexity. Increasing Complexity in Human Civilisation In the first half of his book he takes us on a tour of the history of human civilisation from savages through tribes and chiefdom's to city states and nations. In doing so it becomes evident that human civilisation is in the process of creating larger and larger social brains. The culmination of which, through the growth of transport and communications technology, is perhaps happening in our lifetimes - the development of one planetary brain!!! Increasing Complexity in Organic Life In the second half of the book, Wright turns our attention to how the same pattern of a movement towards greater complexity, is also the case in organic life. Single cells work together by specialising in certain tasks to form more complex life forms. The single cell benefits from the increase in complexity and flourishes. This process continues until we end up with the bewilderingly complex organic life forms we see today. Just watch any program with Sir David Attenborough in it to marvel at how many niches in the environment have been exploited in some astonishing way. Game Theory as the Driver Wright believes that the driving force for all this is Game Theory and the seemingly limitless number of nonzero sum games that cam be played over billions of years. What is a nonzero sum game? Well an example of a zero sum game is tennis. When one person wins the other loses. So crudely put, the winner gains 1 and the loser loses 1. Sum total = 0. An example of a nonzero sum game is as follows: Imagine that you and I live in two different hunter gatherer tribes around 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. Let's also suggest that my tribe lives on the coast and your tribe lives in the hills. We would both be involved in activities that revolve around fishing, trapping, preparing food, repairing tools and turning by-products into useful items; for example: turning fur pelts into clothing. Because my tribe lives near the coast we have developed an advanced method of catching fish and often have a surplus of fish. Our traps, however, aren't as fruitful. As a result, red meat is a delicacy and we are poorly clothed. Meanwhile, up in the hills, your tribe have evolved trap technology. As a result you have a surplus of red meat and your wardrobe of clothes is astonishing. The challenge for your tribe is to vary the diet with the limited number of fish you can find and the time it takes to catch them. When we meet, we could either exchange fish for red meat and fur pelts or we could exchange fishing technology for trapping technology. Either way, through the exchange we are both better off and both tribes experience an increase in the quality of their lives through a varied diet and my tribe might become almost a well dressed as your tribe. This is a nonzero sum. Increasing Opportunities to Play Nonzero Games If we accept that nonzero games lead to a better quality of living through greater complexity (1850's London would have been a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there) then the question organisations and individuals would do well to ask themselves is how can I maximise my opportunities to play nonzero games? Here are some suggestions: * Take an honest interest in others for example: Friends, customers, team members etc. * When listening to someone talk about a problem or challenge they are facing, ask yourself "How can I help them over and above just giving advice?" * Say `Yes' more often - For a classic illustration on this read "Yes Man" by Danny Wallace. (3) Bibliography: (1) Wright, Robert; 2000 "Non Zero - The Logic of Human Destiny" Pantheon Books, New York (2) Darwin, Charles; 1871 "The Descent of Man" Published by John Murray, United Kingdom. (3) Wallace, Danny; 2005 "Yes Man", Simon Spotlight Entertainment, New York - London - Toronto - Sydney.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yet here we are with our Brains "switched on".
*by M***N on April 15, 2015*

This is an outstanding read, even if you do not end up agreeing with everything, even most things the author lays out. The book covers Cultural Evolution, Biological Evolution, and the possibility that these processes have a Direction, Purpose,and Design(er) and Purpose, through the mechanism of Increasing Complexity driven by Cooperation in order to reap Zero Sum Benefits. The most compelling case is made for Cultural Evolution, Followed by Biological Evolution, and a distant third for Intelligent Design. Given that Cultural Evolution is currently on the threshold of a paradigm shift which we and our children will impact and be impacted by this discussion alone is worth the price of the book! There is an entire other sociology book waiting to be written on what options we as a species should consider as this paradigm shift (or singularity) approaches....Sadly Prof. Wright's spends very little time here and his prescriptions are less than heartening. Nonetheless the strong case he makes for the directional nature of Cultural Evolution and the divergent possible outcomes this represents are fascinating independently of whether one buys his arguments (or those of Stephen Jay Gould) regarding Biological Evolution.... for as the title of this review says..."Yet here we are with our Brains switched on!" as any readers is likely to be after finishing this book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Natural Selection's Argument for Directionality
*by D***K on May 27, 2005*

Wright is a masterful author who tackles an important and intellectually-interesting issue: Is evolution, specifically natural selection, simply "random" as suggested by Stephen Jay Gould et alia or is it "directional" from the simplest to the most complex? Using archeology, paleaeontology, human history in broad scopes, game theory's zero-sum and nonzero-sum outcomes, kin versus individual selection, Richard Dawkin's memes from his book "The Selfish Gene," and a posteriori logic, Wright tackles the issue directly, concisely, forcefully, and elegantly. His answer to the question, in contradistinction to his Marxist antagonists like Gould (See the sociological critique "Defenders of the Truth" by Ullica Segerstrale for sociobiology's reprecussion in academia), is that the evidence points unquestionably to the nonzero sumness outcomes of organisms to develop from the simplest to more complex organisms, implying at least a "directional" undercurrent in sociobiology rather than simple "random" effects that his nemeses posit. This conclusion inevitably suggests the subsidiary question whether evolution is teleological -- that is, directed to some ostensive purpose or goal (which he rejects, but not without empathy for those who find oppositely). On his principal argument and the evidence he evinces for it, however, Wright is consistent, coherent, logical, and persuasive. Three caveats: (1) his notion that natural selection's directionality from simplicity to complexity seems to suggest "progress" towards some higher purpose leads Wright to argument unconincingly for a one-world government about midway; (2) Wright, as masterful though he be with the facts and prose, is not a scientist and does not hold himself out to be; but he amply draws from primary and secondary sources to support all the evidence necessary to make his directionality of natural selection very compelling. (3) All evolutionary scientists insist that natural selection is entirely random, so this theory, plausible as it might seem, is contrary to science. One annoyance: This highly documented work is supported with a peculiar "note" system that is simultaneously confusing and awkward. The ubiquitous "dagger" instead of individual endnotes or footnotes is highly aggravating. Finally, one has to ask, Is Wright's thesis really important to an understanding of ourselves, and if so, how? I found his directionality thesis of natural selection both compelling and important in that there is "progress" in a very generic sense, but did not find Wright's politial and economic "solutions" interposed midway supported by any evidence, but was sort of an ad hoc notion from his own political biases (see his articles in the New Republic magazine and elsewhere). I actually found the opposite conclusions to be supported by the supposition that biodiversity to be the impetus behind natural selection's constantly undergoing improvements and balancing of traits. "NonZero" is an important, well-written, and scientifically supported case for natural selection's inherent directionality from simplest to the more complex organisms. Being at the top of the evolutionary pyramid in terms of complexity, homo sapiens needs to find ways to use this increasing complexity to its own advantage. I assume that a more reflective, less ad hoc intrusion midway, will be forthcoming to "demonstrate," if Wright can, that one-world government is a solution to some of our predicaments. The same evidence actually seems to support the opposite conclusion. Highly recommended.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.kr/products/8853149-nonzero-the-logic-of-human-destiny-vintage](https://www.desertcart.kr/products/8853149-nonzero-the-logic-of-human-destiny-vintage)

---

*Product available on Desertcart South Korea*
*Store origin: KR*
*Last updated: 2026-06-20*