Sparking vigorous debate in the sciences, The Social Conquest of Earth
upends "the famous theory that evolution naturally encourages creatures
to put family first" (Discover). Refashioning the story of human
evolution, Wilson draws on his remarkable knowledge of biology and
social behavior to demonstrate that group selection, not kin selection,
is the premier driving force of human evolution. In a work that James D.
Watson calls "a monumental exploration of the biological origins of the
human condition," Wilson explains how our innate drive to belong to a
group is both a "great blessing and a terrible curse" (Smithsonian).
Demonstrating that the sources of morality, religion, and the creative
arts are fundamentally biological in nature, the renowned Harvard
University biologist 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.