The Social Conquest of Earth

The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson (Author). From the most celebrated heir to Darwin comes a groundbreaking guide on evolution, the summa work of Edward O. Wilson's legendary career.

The place did we come from? What are we? Where are we going? In a generational work of clarity and fervour, one of our greatest dwelling scientists directly addresses these three basic questions of faith, philosophy, and science while “overturning the well-known concept that evolution naturally encourages creatures to place family first” (Uncover magazine). Refashioning the story of human evolution in a piece that is certain to generate headlines, Wilson draws on his remarkable knowledge of biology and social behavior to point out that group selection, not kin selection, is the first driving power of human evolution. He proves that history makes no sense with out prehistory, and prehistory is senseless without biology. Demonstrating that the sources of morality, faith, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature, Wilson 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. Ninety illustrations

This guide is a should read for those who want to educate themselves on the present debates that are raging inside the realms of evolutionary biology. While I have been persuaded by Wilson's arguments for group selection over inclusive health I recognize that as an newbie I shouldn't have a protracted history with competing theories beyond familiarity with the works of Richard Dawkins. Nonetheless I believe this e book is precisely what the conversation wants proper now regardless of whether you agree completely with Wilson's conclusions. This book goes to piss some individuals off, that's for sure. The reviewers who feel that that is simply Social Darwinism 2.zero are missing the point fully for my part they usually lack an understanding of Wilson's argument and as well as the mechanics of natural selection. Wilson's writing is accessible and gratifying and I imagine he'll finally prove to be appropriate largely because what he's saying shouldn't be an enormous deviation from Darwin's unique ideas. I recommend this e book to anybody who is fascinated by understanding how pure choice works in the true world. Even when you find yourself disagreeing with the conclusion, you'll enjoy studying this book.

I do agree that it's unfair to check human societies to ant societies however that's as a result of I discover ants to be much more interesting than humans.

That is a tremendous work. It seeks to understand and clarify how one species, in a relative blink within the life of the earth, has come to achieve such dominion over the planet that we now threaten the very biosphere that gives us life. It covers the evolutionary growth of just about each side of human life, from art and faith to intercourse and war. It compares people to other socially superior social species to attempt to clarify our acquisition of the instruments that have made our success possible. It's the best work I've ever read in providing a broad perspective on the historical past of our species. It is a rare achievement of scientific analysis, scholarship, and writing--a crowing achievement in the work of one of many great minds of our time. 

The Social Conquest of Earth 

 Edward O. Wilson (Author)

352 pages

Liveright; 1 edition (April 9, 2012)

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