The Social Conquest of Earth Audiobook By Edward O. Wilson cover art

The Social Conquest of Earth

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The Social Conquest of Earth

By: Edward O. Wilson
Narrated by: Jonathan Hogan
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Edward O. Wilson is one of the world’s preeminent biologists, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and the author of more than 25 books. The defining work in a remarkable career, The Social Conquest of Earth boldly addresses age-old questions (Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going?) while delving into the biological sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts.

©2012 Edward O. Wilson (P)2012 Recorded Books. LLC Anthropology Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics History & Philosophy Philosophy Science

Critic reviews

“Wilson’s newest theory...could transform our understanding of human nature—and provide hope for our stewardship of the planet.... [His] new book is not limited to the discussion of evolutionary biology, but ranges provocatively through the humanities.... Its impact on the social sciences could be as great as its importance for biology, advancing human self-understanding in ways typically associated with the great philosophers.” (Howard W. French, The Atlantic)
“a huge, deep, thrilling work, presenting a radically new but cautiously hopeful view of human evolution, human nature, and human society. No one but E. O. Wilson could bring together such a brilliant synthesis of biology and the humanities, to shed light on the origins of language, religion, art, and all of human culture.” (Oliver Sacks)
“Never shy about tackling big questions, veteran evolutionary biologist Wilson delivers his thoughtful if contentious explanation of why humans rule the Earth... Wilson succeeds in explaining his complex ideas, so attentive readers will receive a deeply satisfying exposure to a major scientific controversy.” ( Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review)
Fascinating Evolutionary Theory • Thought-provoking Concepts • Masterful Narration • Accessible Scientific Explanations
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This was a fantastic listen for about the first 22 chapters. Wilson build theirs cases for why things happened throughout early evolution very methodically and relies on well studied data. But then somewhere around chapter 23/24 (when it gets to more modern social elements) they abandon and often undermine all the “rules” and truths they relied on earlier. It felt more like vapid opinion honestly and lessened the whole package. Not sure I would recommend since it falls off a Cliff like that.

Starts very strong but undermines its self

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I've read a bunch of Richard Dawkins' books before this and Wilson's book is just icing on the cake. Wilson writes better than a poet and really has a lot to say that's interesting in the field.

Wow, Wilson has a lot to say and boy can he write.

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Outstanding overview of our social development, both good and bad. The book was well written and very simple to follow. the narration was well spoken and direct.

Terrific summarization of our social development

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now I need to find all my favorite passage in the book so I can highlight them. I especially enjoyed the chapters on art.

really enjoying

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Well argued book. Not pedantic in the least. Wilson expects an intellectual audience , I value that.

Engaging

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Far too much time spent pushing liberal ideas. And why is climate alarmism a required topic for books like these when it has zero to do with the subject. Any good scientist would know that the Earth thrived under 1000s of ppm in CO2 and we almost all went extinct in the last Ice Age due to CO2 depletion. The science is completely backwards, yet it is forced on us through every scientific publication regardless the topic.

Excellent scientific discussion on social development, especially in regard to insects.

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What did you love best about The Social Conquest of Earth?

Wilson redeemed himself for me with this book. As a psychological scientist, I always have been a bit rattled by his glib use of the word instinct, because it has never been an explanation of behavior or adaptive adjustment to the changing world. He clarified what he sees as the constant interplay of the gene enabling machinery of life in the adaptation of individuals and social groups. His explanation of epigenesis in adaption, the regultion of gene expression, put it all into proper comprehensible perspective. I will still avoid the word instinct, but he has correction outlined the limits of adaptation in the continuous interplay of coding gene expression during development and adjustment to the environment. For me, he made me see with great clarity that learning, differing as it does in different organisms and at different point in development and aging, is just another gene -expression enabled mechanism of adaptation. Inherited biological processes set limits on individual learning, as do diseases that are partly related to inhereted (or mutation produce) processes. This is a wonderful, lyrical at times, book of science that conveys profound insights into issues of existential and practical concern for all people.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it took a bit more than a weekend of walking in parks and doing chores.

Any additional comments?

I think people with a bit better than average knowledge of modern biology will get the most from this book. The reader, however, is superb, and does justice to Wilson's sometimes beautiful prose. This is a book to ponder in full again after some additional reflection.

Biology as the Door to Knowing Our Destiny

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The problem with our short lifespans is that we frequently forgot that there will be a future beyond us, and what we know now. This makes it difficult for us to imagine that the truth we currently enjoy, may one day be proven to be false. This book exemplifies this problem. The language it uses is so absolute and finite, that it’s often frustrating to listen to.

An exploration of the human condition—hubris and a superiority complex notwithstanding.

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Richard Dawkins does his best to argue that group selection is not biologically plausible. But I think I’m much more convinced by Dr. Wilson’s premises. He offers many examples and I think this is a good compliment to suggested both in selection as well as group selection are both operative in the human world.

A wonderful compliment to selfish gene

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Drags in places,but the chapter on religion and the concluding chapter make this book well worth a credit. People of religion will find Wilson's thoughts difficult to swallow. If the book does nothing else, it will make you think.

mixed bag

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