In 2010, my two Harvard mathematician colleagues and I dismantled kin-selection theory, which was the reigning theory of the origin of altruism at the time. E. O. Wilson More Quotes by E. O. Wilson More Quotes From E. O. Wilson Human nature is deeper and broader than the artificial contrivance of any existing culture. E. O. Wilson deeper human-nature culture The history of life on earth has been a history of interaction between living things and their surroundings. E. O. Wilson history-of-life surroundings earth The laws of biology are written in the language of diversity. E. O. Wilson diversity language law Every native species, however humble in appearance...has its place in the nation's heritage. It is a masterpiece of evolution, an ancient, multifaceted entity that shares the land with us. E. O. Wilson heritage land humble Science is not marginal. Like art, it is a universal possession of humanity, and scientific knowledge has become a vital part of our species' repertory. It comprises what we know of the material world with reasonable certainty. . . . Thanks to science and technology, access to factual information of all kinds is rising exponentially. E. O. Wilson technology humanity art [The natural world cleans water, pollinates plants and provides pharmaceuticals, among many other gifts.] Thirty trillion dollars worth of services, scot-free to humanity, every year. E. O. Wilson water science years Overall, the human brain is the most complex object known in the universe - known, that is, to itself. E. O. Wilson complexes humans brain The cutting of primeval forest and other disasters, fueled by the demands of growing human populations, are the overriding threat to biological diversity everywhere. E. O. Wilson diversity cutting science Ninety-nine percent of all species that ever lived are now extinct. E. O. Wilson ninety-nine nature animal Search until you find a passion and go all out to excel in its expression. E. O. Wilson passion expression Thirty trillion dollars worth of services, scot-free to humanity, every year. E. O. Wilson dollars humanity years Mating Strategy is influenced by the cardinal fact that women have more at stake in sexual activity than men, because of the limited age span in which they can reproduce and the heavy investment required of them with each child conceived. In courtship women consistently emphasize commitment of resources and material security. E. O. Wilson age children commitment The growth of a naturalist is like the growth of a musician or athlete: excellence for the talented, lifelong enjoyment for the rest, benefit for humanity. E. O. Wilson athlete humanity science To be anthropocentric is to remain unaware of the limits of human nature, the significance of biological processes underlying human behavior, and the deeper meaning of long-term genetic evolution. E. O. Wilson limits science long If religion and science could be united on the common ground of biological conservation, the problem would be soon solved. If there is any moral precept shared by people of all beliefs, it is that we owe ourselves and future generations a beautiful, rich, and healthful environment. E. O. Wilson would-be beautiful people In the process of natural selection, then, any device that can insert a higher proportion of certain genes into subsequent generations will come to characterize the species. E. O. Wilson generations evolution science Nature first, then theory. Or, better, Nature and theory closely intertwined while you throw all your intellectual capital at the subject. Love the organisms for themselves first, then strain for general explanations, and, with good fortune, discoveries will follow. If they don't, the love and the pleasure will have been enough. E. O. Wilson intellectual discovery firsts We are compelled to drive toward total knowledge, right down to the levels of the neuron and the gene. When we have progressed enough to explain ourselves in these mechanistic terms...the result might be hard to accept. E. O. Wilson neurons science knowledge In fact, nothing in science as a whole has been more firmly established by interwoven factual information, or more illuminating than the universal occurrence of biological evolution. Further, few natural processes have been more convincingly explained than evolution by the theory of natural selection, or as it has been popularly called, Darwinism. E. O. Wilson atheism information religion It was inspiring to learn of the new Bachelor of Environmental Studies Program, and I congratulate you for it. Singapore is geographically in the right central position for an influence in Asia and Australia, and NUS has the reputation and academic strength to make it effective. E. O. Wilson asia environmental australia
