The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson is a highly acclaimed (and also roundly criticized) book on the evolution of human cooperative behavior. Wilson commences by examining basic questions of humanity: Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going? He describes how people have tried to answer these questions through religion, philosophy and introspection. However, Wilson’s thesis is that only through rigorous scientific scholarship can humanity find the answers. He proposes that group selection, which favored cooperation, was the force that shaped humankind’s domination over the earth.
Whether or not you agree with the author, you are sure to find this a fascinating read.
Ten copies of the book are on reserve at the circulation desk of the Plymouth Main Library and anyone with an Old Colony Library Network card may sign one out, read it and participate in the next meeting on November 14 at 7 p.m. at 204 Long Pond Road in Plymouth. If you would like to hear about each month’s book (whether or not you come to discussions), please sign up below.
On December 12th, we will discuss Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis by Cynthia Barnett.
