The Social Conquest of Earth in Science and Inquiry

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The Social Conquest of Earth

Edward O. Wilson

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Book Club 2015

* December 2015 - Violinist's Thumb
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last updated Jan 11, 2016 06:55AM

* November 2015 - Being Mortal
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Jan 18, 2021 Petra lives on a little Caribbean island added it

Shelves: 1-awaiting-review-but-read

So I read a book on evolution of the body, a symmetrical body, from the larval stage of sea squirts - Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA. I read about the development, the evolution, of our bodies from fish - again, Neil Shubin, Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA. Then how the universe began and our earth came into being and evolved into the planet we know and love, and how the forces of t ...more

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Apr 04, 2012 David Rubenstein rated it really liked it

Shelves: biology, sociology

I am a fan of E.O. Wilson's writings, but this book is not quite as good as some of his others. I learned a few interesting things, but not as much as would be expected from a book of this type.

The central concept in the book is "eusociality", which is the cooperative care of offspring and the cooperative division of labor. Among the animal kingdom, there are only several species of ants, bees, and termites that are truly eusocial. And, there are humans. Quite a chunk of the book goes into the b I am a fan of E.O. Wilson's writings, but this book is not quite as good as some of his others. I learned a few interesting things, but not as much as would be expected from a book of this type.

The central concept in the book is "eusociality", which is the cooperative care of offspring and the cooperative division of labor. Among the animal kingdom, there are only several species of ants, bees, and termites that are truly eusocial. And, there are humans. Quite a chunk of the book goes into the behavior patterns of the eusocial insects. This is understandable, as Wilson is a recognized expert in these types of insects. The central question in the book, is how did eusocial behavior evolve in insects, as well as in humans.

Wilson describes the theory that was prevalent until about ten years ago, called "kin selection", also known as the "inclusive fitness theory". Hamilton developed this theory in 1963. The theory says that social behavior evolved not only as a direct linkage between an individual's genes and fitness for reproduction, but also through an indirect linkage between an individual and relatives that share some fraction of his/her genes. Thus, the theory attempts to explain altruistic behavior, especially between close relatives.

But, Wilson disagrees with this theory, as he describes reasons for its failing. In the past ten years, evidence has grown that the mathematics developed by Hamilton to support his theory may be faulty. Wilson replaces the theory with what he calls standard genetics applied to multiple levels of natural selection. By multiple levels, he means that there is a competition between selection for individual survival within a group, and cooperation between individuals to advance group survival. This is the basis of so many moral dilemmas that face people. It is the source, for example, of the competition between heroism and cowardice.

Wilson also tackles the evolution of language. I thought it was fascinating, how languages with few words for colors, distribute their meager selection of words. For example, all languages with just two color words, have "black" and "white". All languages with three words also include "red". Those with four words add either "yellow" or "green". Those with five words have "yellow" and "green". Those with six words add "blue", and those with seven words add "brown". Note that other color words, like purple, orange, and pink, are not used in these languages.

And, in regard to language evolution of course, Wilson had to mention the writings of Steven Pinker, which are very readable, and those of Chomsky, which are not. Wilson writes,

For a long time, Chomsky succeeded because, if for no other reason, he seldom suffered the indignity of being understood.

Wilson also made an interesting observation about the quality of life in various countries. The wealthiest countries with the highest average quality of life are those with the narrowest differential between the wealthiest and poorest citizens. These include Japan and the Nordic countries, and the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The countries with the lowest quality of life have the biggest differential in wealth, and include the United Kingdom, Portugal, and the remainder of the United States.

Although it is well-written, this book is not easy reading. I had to re-read many sections to really understand the main points. A second reading might clarify some of my remaining confusions. There isn't much technical jargon, but it is written by a scientist, seemingly for other scientists. ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 Silvio rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: anthropology, biology

In the steps of Diamond Jared: a multi discipline approach to understand ourselves

First book of Wilson I've read. It is inspiring and down to Earth. It approaches the question of who we are and where we can go using multiple disciplines. In that sense it remained me of Diamond Jared's Guns, Germs and Steel. It approaches the insight on who we are as a species from biology and his speciality: eusocial insects: ants, bees, beetles and termites. It adds to the mix neurobiology, psychology, anthropo In the steps of Diamond Jared: a multi discipline approach to understand ourselves

First book of Wilson I've read. It is inspiring and down to Earth. It approaches the question of who we are and where we can go using multiple disciplines. In that sense it remained me of Diamond Jared's Guns, Germs and Steel. It approaches the insight on who we are as a species from biology and his speciality: eusocial insects: ants, bees, beetles and termites. It adds to the mix neurobiology, psychology, anthropology and he pleas for a join study of the Homo sapiens joining forces between science and humanities.

Also the book is a platform to position his theory of group selection against kin selection. The most controversial aspect of the book, hotly contested and debated in the scientific community. As not a biologist myself I cannot decide into that arguments, however from my readings it looks like Wilson position untenable.

For that the main message of the book, in my opinion, has been eclipsed by these strong arguments against his position of group selection. Which is a pity: there is more in common with the rest of scientific community and also he makes a very good plea to work on the understanding of human nature from a rational and scientific perspective.

He calls for a new Enlightenment which I agrees is desperately needed politically and socially. He makes a strong support of what tools of all the many we invented can really search for truth: science. He advocates for relegation organized religion as part of our history and not needed anymore. Of course science and religion are irreconcilables and he makes this point strong.

All based on looking at ourselves from the naturalistic perspective of biology and trying to bring in the knowledge we acquired from other branches of science.

The debate between group and kin is an interesting debate in science and biology (today from my poor understanding leaning towards to kin selection) but the main message of the book is clear, powerful and worth reading. ...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Patricrk patrick rated it really liked it

Shelves: science

Biology and genetics are important parts of our social structure. The tribal part of our socialization is alive and well. The mass of social ants on earth is equal to the mass of humans on earth. There is a Darwinian reason that social creatures are dominant on earth.

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Aug 18, 2012 Charlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: innovation, chaos-complexity-emergence, ecology, philosophy, general-science, evolution, biology, non-fiction-inequality

Definitely worth the read. Absolutely loved this book. He was able to call some old dogma into question but, in my opinion, swallowed a lot of outdated dogma himself. Overall, it is so fantastic that the flaws don't matter so much. ...more

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