E.O. Wilson's provocative evolution theory, 'The Social Conquest of Earth'
July 13, 2012
Hour 2
[REBROADCAST] In his controversial recent book, “The Social Conquest of Earth,” which the acclaimed biologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author presents as the capstone to his legendary career, EDWARD O. WILSON firmly and fundamentally breaks with a theory of evolution that he championed and helped establish as dominant. Wilson’s research leads him to argue that kin-based selection – the idea that evolution favors the genes of those who sacrifice themselves for blood relatives – does not explain humanity’s rise to dominance of the Earth. Instead, Wilson argues on behalf of multilevel selection, with evolution favoring competition at the individual level but cooperation at the group level, and the complex dynamic between those two forces explaining so much of human history – and even art and culture. Wilson joined us in the studio this spring to explain his theory, informed by a lifetime studying insects and championing the world’s biodiversity.
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