About the Author

Alex S. Key was born in Liverpool, England. He wrote The Third Basic Instinct after researching belief systems around the world—while using the latest understanding of the mind—and intensified his work following the September 11 attacks. He currently writes an evolutionary psychology blog at PsychologyToday.com.

In the days following the World Trade Center attacks, Key led a team responsible for bringing the financial systems back on-line. As vice president of technology at a leading Wall Street firm, he helped fix the tremendous problems but not prevent them. He decided he would help prevent the false beliefs behind terrorist attacks—and other unproductive behavior—by providing a deeper understanding of the mind.

As a child raised Greek Orthodox in a harsh Northern mining town in England, he was unable to embrace the idea of a benevolent god in the face of human suffering and prejudice. He was eighteen when he was first inspired by the concept of three basic instincts.

Key’s unique approach to the mind and religion involves a combination of news, anecdotes, science, and humor. Using unpretentious language, The Third Basic Instinct was written for people from all walks of life, and can even be “handed down” from parent to child. Key has researched and drawn heavily on multiple sources including Daniel Goleman (Emotional Intelligence), Dale Peterson (Demonic Males), Bernard Lewis (The Crisis of Islam), Richard Dawkins (The Selfish Gene), and has cited over one hundred scientists, authors, comedians, politicians, forefathers, priests, and even terrorists.

He currently lives in Manhattan.