David Hawk's new book, Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture, investigates the complex interplay between human systems, industrial development, and environmental conditions. Published on June 10, 2026, the work draws from Hawk's doctoral research in systems sciences and decades of professional experience with businesses, governments, and academic institutions.
The book examines how industrial development transformed essential systems such as shelter, food production, and transportation, creating what Hawk describes as an expanding "science of the artificial." A central focus is the transition from naturally occurring systems to increasingly engineered environments. Hawk analyzes how industrialization changed the way societies organize resources, regulate behavior, and interact with ecological systems, considering both historical developments and contemporary structures that influence human activity on a global scale.
By applying systems-thinking principles, the book explores the relationship between technological advancement and governance. Hawk investigates how institutions attempt to manage complexity and how those approaches affect social and environmental outcomes. The analysis spans disciplines including planning, management, engineering, policy, and organizational development.
Regarding the purpose of the book, Hawk noted, "The research sought to understand how human-created systems emerged, how they evolved, and how they influence relationships between society and the environment." The publication is rooted in his broader career, which includes service in Vietnam, urban planning projects in Europe and North America, and academic appointments across several countries.
Throughout his career, Hawk has worked as a professor, consultant, academic administrator, and program developer. His contributions include the development of educational programs in engineering, business management, architecture, planning, leadership, and public policy, as well as doctoral-level institutes for executive education in Sweden and Finland.
Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture is available through major online booksellers in print and digital formats. For more information, visit the book's page on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Walmart.
