Evolution for everyone : how Darwin's theory can change the way we think about our lives

What is the biological reason for gossip?For laughter? For the creation of art?Why do dogs have curly tails?What can microbes tell us about morality?These and many other questions are tackled by renowned evolutionist David Sloan Wilson in this witty and groundbreaking new book. With stories that entertain as much as they inform, Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution and shows how, properly understood, they can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. Now everyone can move beyond the sterile debates about creationism and intelligent design to share Darwin’s panoramic view of animal and human life, seamlessly connected to each other.Evolution, as Wilson explains, is not just about dinosaurs and human origins, but about why all species behave as they do—from beetles that devour their own young, to bees that function as a collective brain, to dogs that are smarter in some respects than our closest ape relatives. And basic evolutionary principles are also the foundation for humanity’s capacity for symbolic thought, culture, and morality.In example after example, Wilson sheds new light on Darwin’s grand theory and how it can be applied to daily life. By turns thoughtful, provocative, and daringly funny, Evolution for Everyone addresses some of the deepest philosophical and social issues of this or any age. In helping us come to a deeper understanding of human beings and our place in the world, it might also help us to improve that world.From the Hardcover edition.

what Is The Biological Reason For Gossip?
for Laughter? For The Creation Of Art?
why Do Dogs Have Curly Tails?
what Can Microbes Tell Us About Morality?

these And Many Other Questions Are Tackled By Renowned Evolutionist David Sloan Wilson In This Witty And Groundbreaking New Book. With Stories That Entertain As Much As They Inform, Wilson Outlines The Basic Principles Of Evolution And Shows How, Properly Understood, They Can Illuminate The Length And Breadth Of Creation, From The Origin Of Life To The Nature Of Religion. Now Everyone Can Move Beyond The Sterile Debates About Creationism And Intelligent Design To Share Darwin’s Panoramic View Of Animal And Human Life, Seamlessly Connected To Each Other.

evolution, As Wilson Explains, Is Not Just About Dinosaurs And Human Origins, But About Why All Species Behave As They Do—from Beetles That Devour Their Own Young, To Bees That Function As A Collective Brain, To Dogs That Are Smarter In Some Respects Than Our Closest Ape Relatives. And Basic Evolutionary Principles Are Also The Foundation For Humanity’s Capacity For Symbolic Thought, Culture, And Morality.

in Example After Example, Wilson Sheds New Light On Darwin’s Grand Theory And How It Can Be Applied To Daily Life. By Turns Thoughtful, Provocative, And Daringly Funny, evolution For Everyone Addresses Some Of The Deepest Philosophical And Social Issues Of This Or Any Age. In Helping Us Come To A Deeper Understanding Of Human Beings And Our Place In The World, It Might Also Help Us To Improve That World.

the New York Times - Natalie Angier

rather Than Catalog Its Successes, Denounce Its Detractors Or In Any Way Present Evolutionary Theory As The Province Of Expert Tacticians Like Himself, Wilson Invites Readers Inside And Shows Them How Darwinism Is Done, And At Lesson S End Urges Us To Go Ahead, Feel Free To Try It At Home. The Result Is A Sprightly, Absorbing And Charmingly Earnest Book That Manages A Minor Miracle, The Near-complete Emulsifying Of Science And The Real World, Ingredients Too Often Kept Stubbornly, Senselessly Apart.

What is the biological reason for gossip? For laughter? For the creation of art? Why do dogs have curly tails? What can microbes tell us about morality?These and many other questions are tackled by renowned evolutionist David Sloan Wilson in this witty and groundbreaking new book. With stories that entertain as much as they inform, Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution and shows how, properly understood, they can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. Now everyone can move beyond the sterile debates about creationism and intelligent design to share Darwin’s panoramic view of animal and human life, seamlessly connected to each other. Evolution, as Wilson explains, is not just about dinosaurs and human origins, but about why all species behave as they do—from beetles that devour their own young, to bees that function as a collective brain, to dogs that are smarter in some respects than our closest ape relatives. And basic evolutionary principles are also the foundation for humanity’s capacity for symbolic thought, culture, and morality. In example after example, Wilson sheds new light on Darwin’s grand theory and how it can be applied to daily life. By turns thoughtful, provocative, and daringly funny, Evolution for Everyone addresses some of the deepest philosophical and social issues of this or any age. In helping us come to a deeper understanding of human beings and our place in the world, it might also help us to improve that world. Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution with stories that entertain as much as they inform, and shows how, properly understood, these principles can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. Now everyone can move beyond the sterile debates about creationism and intelligent design to share Darwin's panoramic view of animal and human life, seamlessly connected to each other. Evolution, as Wilson explains, is not just about dinosaurs and human origins, but about why all species behave as they do--from beetles that devour their own young, to bees that function as a collective brain, to dogs that are smarter in some respects than our closest ape relatives. And basic evolutionary principles are also the foundation for humanity's capacity for symbolic thought, culture, and morality.--From publisher description