authors:
- Wilson, Edward O
content: 'A very interesting read, to be recommended to anyone interested in the interaction
of culture, sociality and biology. Homo sapiens is an intensely social animal, and
this can only be explained by group selection based on a number of preselected traits
of the predecessors, according to Wilson. Culture is the layered on top of this,
in its turn affecting evolution and therefore also the genetics of humans, making
us unique.
Wilson contends that the previously accepted theory of kin selection cannot explain
the evolution of sociality in general. In the case of Homo sapiens and its predecessors,
multi-level selection involving group selection must be invoked. In my mind the
author makes his case convincingly.
The book could have used a tougher editor. It contains some redundant reiteration
of arguments and positions. The writing is good and to the point. References are
relegated to a section at the back, relieving the text from footnotes and numbered
references.'
date: '2018-08-16'
edition:
published: '2012'
publisher: Liveright
goodreads: '12918295'
html: '<p>A very interesting read, to be recommended to anyone interested in the interaction
of culture, sociality and biology. Homo sapiens is an intensely social animal, and
this can only be explained by group selection based on a number of preselected traits
of the predecessors, according to Wilson. Culture is the layered on top of this,
in its turn affecting evolution and therefore also the genetics of humans, making
us unique.</p>
<p>Wilson contends that the previously accepted theory of kin selection cannot explain
the evolution of sociality in general. In the case of Homo sapiens and its predecessors,
multi-level selection involving group selection must be invoked. In my mind the
author makes his case convincingly.</p>
<p>The book could have used a tougher editor. It contains some redundant reiteration
of arguments and positions. The writing is good and to the point. References are
relegated to a section at the back, relieving the text from footnotes and numbered
references.</p>
'
isbn: '9780871404138'
language: en
lastmod: '2018-08-16'
path: /library/wilson-2012.html
published: '2012'
rating: 4
reference: Wilson 2012
reviewed: '2018-08-16'
subjects:
- beyond-nature
- evolution
- human-evolution
- political-philosophy
- science
title: The Social Conquest of Earth
type: book
year: 2012