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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. LSUN5 (talk) 15:28, 4 May 2025 (UTC)Lixing Sun (孙立新, born 1964) is an American biologist, science writer, evolutionary thinker, and professor at Central Washington University. His work spans evolutionary biology, animal behavior, primatology, ecology, psychology, behavioral economics, and the intersection of science and society.
Career
Lixing Sun graduated from East China Normal University in Shanghai (with BS and MS) and earned his Ph.D. from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University. He is a professor in the Department of Biological Science at Central Washington University.
Sun has authored and co-authored five books (four in English and one in Chinese), nine book chapters, and about 70 research articles in scientific journals.[1] His popular writing has appeared in Time, Nautilus, Science, and Psychology Today. His 2023 nonfiction work, The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars, won the 2024 PROSE Award in Popular Science and Mathematics from the Association of American Publishers[2] and was named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year (2023).[3]
He co-founded the Animal Behavior Society of China (ABSC)[4] and has served as an associate editor and editorial board member of Current Zoology.
Reception
The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars (2023) Described as "eye-opening" by the distinguished primatologist Frans de Waal, this book explores cheating and deception in the natural world, from animals to humans. Critics praised it as "engaging, fascinating, and important," with The Wall Street Journal calling it "a tour de force of evolutionary biology."[5]
The Fairness Instinct (2013) Sun's exploration of fairness across societies has been widely praised for its interdisciplinary perspective and engaging, accessible style. According to the New York Journal of Books, the work "succeeds in analyzing different societies, both past and present," by delving into the biological foundations of fairness.[6]
The Behavioral Ecology of the Tibetan Macaque (2020) This volume brought attention to the Tibetan macaque, with reviews highlighting its broad range of behavioral analyses and interdisciplinary focus. It was praised for its contributions to understanding social behavior and human-animal interactions.[7]
The Beaver (2003) Sun's co-authored book on the beaver's ecology (the first edition) was recognized as "a modern synthesis" and "a wonderful blend of natural and social history." Reviewers noted its comprehensive treatment of the species and its ecological significance.[8]
Works
- The Beaver: Natural History of a Wetlands Engineer (1st edition, co-authored with Dietland Müller-Schwarze). Comstock, 2003. ISBN 0-8014-4098-X[9]https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31946638047&dest=usa&ref_=ps_ms_370713412&cm_mmc=msn-_-comus_shopp_used_trade-_-naa-_-naa&msclkid=8c94fbcf61c519e53b1093d810ae9dcd.
- The Fairness Instinct: The Robin Hood Mentality and Our Biological Nature. Prometheus Books, 2013. ISBN 978-1616148478[10]https://www.prometheusbooks.com/9781616148478/the-fairness-instinct/.
- The Behavioral Ecology of the Tibetan Macaque (co-editor with Jin-Hua Li and Peter M. Kappeler). Springer, 2020. ISBN 978-3-030-27920-2[11]https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-27920-2.
- The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars: Cheating and Deception in the Living World. Princeton University Press, 2023. ISBN 9780691198606[12]https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691198606/the-liars-of-nature-and-the-nature-of-liars.
Awards
- Harvard Radcliffe Fellow, 2024–2025. https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/people/lixing-sun
- Distinguished University Research Professor, Central Washington University, 2020.[13]https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/cwu-honors-2020-distinguished-professors/article_f67099fc-d603-5d86-8fa0-254099fd9219.html
- PROSE Award in Popular Science and Mathematics, Association of American Publishers, 2024.[14]https://proseawards.com/winners/2024-award-winners/
- Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year, 2003.[15]https://www.choice360.org/choice-pick/the-top-75-community-college-titles-december-2023/
Critical Reviews
- "Deceiving to Thrive." The Wall Street Journal, March 24, 2003.[16]https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/the-liars-of-nature-and-the-nature-of-liars-book-review-deceiving-to-thrive-115ddaf5
- "Why the Animal Kingdom Is Full of Con Artists." The New Yorker, March 27, 2023.[17]https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/04/03/the-liars-of-nature-and-the-nature-of-liars-lixing-sun-book-review
- "Can Nature Lie?" The Atlantic, July 25, 2023.[18]https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2023/07/evolution-liars-of-nature-lixing-sun-review/674808/
References
[edit]- ^ A simplified list of works displayed: https://www.cwu.edu/about/directory/biological-sciences/lixing-sun.php
- ^ AAP-Association of American Publishers 2024 winners: https://proseawards.com/winners/2024-award-winners/
- ^ Choice Picks: https://www.choice360.org/choice-pick/the-top-75-community-college-titles-december-2023/
- ^ Animal Behavior Society of China: 动物行为学分会----中国动物学会
- ^ "Deceiving to thrive" 'The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars' Review: Deceiving to Thrive - WSJ
- ^ a book review by Donald F. Calbreath: The Fairness Instinct: The Robin Hood Mentality and Our Biological Nature
- ^ The Behavioral Ecology of the Tibetan Macaque | SpringerLink
- ^ The Beaver: Natural History of a Wetlands Engineer (Comstock books): Muller-Schwarze, Dietland, Sun, Lixing: 9780801440984: Amazon.com: Books
- ^ http://ISBN%200-8014-4098-X
- ^ http://ISBN%20978-1616148478
- ^ http://ISBN%20978-3-030-27920-2
- ^ http://ISBN%209780691198606
- ^ http://Distinguished%20University%20Research%20Professor,%20Central%20Washington%20University,%202020.
- ^ http://PROSE%20Award%20in%20Popular%20Science%20and%20Mathematics,%20Association%20of%20American%20Publishers,%202024.
- ^ http://Choice%20Outstanding%20Academic%20Title%20of%20the%20Year,%202003.
- ^ http://"Deceiving%20to%20Thrive."%20The%20Wall%20Street%20Journal,%20March%2024,%202003.
- ^ http://"Why%20the%20Animal%20Kingdom%20Is%20Full%20of%20Con%20Artists."%20The%20New%20Yorker,%20March%2027,%202023.
- ^ http://"Can%20Nature%20Lie?"%20The%20Atlantic,%20July%2025,%202023.