First published 2014
What sets humans apart from every other species on Earth? Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson examines the deepest questions about our existence in this philosophical exploration. Wilson argues that humanity has reached a point where we can systematically investigate our place in the cosmos and the nature of intelligent life itself. He explores topics ranging from free will and religion to biodiversity collapse and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Building on his previous work about human dominance of the biosphere, Wilson contends that our species holds a unique position in the known universe. He acknowledges that while humans and spiders both evolved through natural selection, a poet's sonnet differs fundamentally from a spider's web. Wilson warns that we stand at a critical juncture where advances in science and technology allow us to redesign biology and human nature itself, potentially abandoning natural selection. This capability presents what he considers our greatest moral challenge in millennia. The book offers readers a bridge between scientific understanding and philosophical inquiry into human meaning and purpose.
Genres: science, philosophy, anthropology, non-fiction, biology, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: philosophical-inquiry
207 pages · Hardcover · Liveright Publishing