It's the technique, I think, of writing a novel that is difficult for a nonfiction writer. E. O. Wilson difficultnonfictiontechnique Change image and share on social
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 altruismcolleaguedismantle Change image and share on social
Religious belief itself is an adaptation that has evolved because we're hard-wired to form tribalistic religions. E. O. Wilson adaptationbeliefevolve Change image and share on social
Secular humanists can sit around and talk about their love of humanity, but it doesn't stack up against a two-millennium-old funeral high mass. E. O. Wilson funeralhighhumanist Change image and share on social
For me, the peculiar qualities of faith are a logical outcome of this level of biological organization. E. O. Wilson biologicalfaithlevel Change image and share on social
All three of the Abrahamic religions were born and nurtured in arid, disturbed environments. E. O. Wilson abrahamicaridbear Change image and share on social
But I feel music has a very important role in ritual activity, and that being able to join in musical activity, along with dancing, could have been necessary at a very early stage of human culture. E. O. Wilson activityculturedance Change image and share on social
Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction. E. O. Wilson aestheticcognitivehold Change image and share on social
To the extent that philosophical positions both confuse us and close doors to further inquiry, they are likely to be wrong. E. O. Wilson closeconfusedoor Change image and share on social
In some ways, I had a traditional 'old South' upbringing, meaning that I spent some time in a military school, and acquired an inoculum of the military ethic that is still with me today: honor, duty, loyalty. E. O. Wilson acquiredutyethic share on social