The Social Conquest of EarthNew York Times Bestseller and Notable Book of the Year From the most celebrated heir to Darwin comes a groundbreaking book on evolution, the summa work of Edward O. Wilson's legendary career. Sparking vigorous debate in the sciences, The Social Conquest of Earth upends “the famous theory that evolution naturally encourages creatures to put family first” (Discover). Refashioning the story of human evolution, Wilson draws on his remarkable knowledge of biology and social behavior to demonstrate that group selection, not kin selection, is the premier driving force of human evolution. In a work that James D. Watson calls “a monumental exploration of the biological origins of the human condition,” Wilson explains how our innate drive to belong to a group is both a “great blessing and a terrible curse” (Smithsonian). Demonstrating that the sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature, the renowned Harvard University biologist presents us with the clearest explanation ever produced as to the origin of the human condition and why it resulted in our domination of the Earth’s biosphere. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Academy of Sciences Africa allele altruism ancestors animals ants australopithecines bees Bert Hölldobler biological biologists bonobos brain breakout chimpanzees cognition colony color complex Conquest of Earth cooperation created cultural evolution dominance early Edward environment epigenetic epigenetic rules eusocial insects evidence evolution of eusociality evolutionary evolved example existence favored forest Gauguin gene-culture coevolution genes genetic genome group selection hominids Homo erectus Homo sapiens human condition human nature hunter-gatherers hunting incest inclusive fitness inclusive-fitness theory individual selection Insect Societies instinct interactions kin selection language least living mammals Michael Tomasello million years ago modern humans mutations National Academy natural selection Neanderthals nest occurred offspring organization origin of eusociality Paleolithic percent population preadaptations prehumans primitively eusocial Proceedings queen religions reproduction social behavior social evolution social insects solitary species spread Superorganism termites territory traits trees tribe variation wasps Westermarck effect Wilson workers