Book Review: Liars of Nature

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Portland Book Review.

Author Lixing Sun, Ph.D.

Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars is a captivating book for evolutionary science nerds and philosophers alike. Unveiling his biology, psychology, and economics research, Lixing Sun takes a sweeping view of how living beings – from single-celled organisms to humans – use communication and cognitive maneuvers to alter the perception of reality to promote their self-interests. Sun shares numerous examples of how lying, cheating, and counter–cheating are found in all life domains. Building his case through evidence in animals, plants, and even fungi, Sun turns the mirror to our own species and probes important queries about human intelligence, morality, nature, and the perils of social life. The world would be so dull without liars and cheats.

This is an excellent science book that is accessible to a mainstream audience without subject-matter expertise in behavioral and cultural evolution. Sun draws from multiple disciplines in exploring the phenomena of deception in the context of self-preservation and innovation. The evidence presented about cheating in humans breaks down the rationale behind and effects of egregious criminal acts and political machinations. Even as humanity’s collective moral compass frowns upon utter disregard for widely agreed-upon conventions through selfish pursuits, we improve upon social, economic, and cultural norms by emphasizing mutually beneficial outcomes.

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