Donald W. Pffaff has been studying how the brain regulates behavior for more than 20 years. As a neuroscientist, he has become convinced that our brains are hardwired to do good. With his Altruistic Brain Theory (ABT), it is possible for him to see that the brain actually produces altruistic behavior — the kind of behavior demonstrated by Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount; The Golden Rule is another example.

Pffaf finds evidence of ABT in everyday heroes who risk their lives to help save others. Think of Oskar Schindler's altruistic behavior during World War II. Or an organization that thrives on doing good by providing services for poor people, refugees, and outcasts all over the world.

In sections worth reading twice, Pffaf posits the neural and hormonal mechanism that promote prosocial behavior while in another, he takes a hard look at ways in which the altruistic brain deals with individuals' bad behavior. In the process he sets aside the traditional Christian idea of original sin as well as the capitalist notion that greed is good.