Edward O. Wilson

Human beings are a biological species, and their social behavior is a product of evolution, just like any other animal species.

The ultimate goal of sociobiology is to explain human behavior in terms of evolutionary principles.

There is no gene for altruism, but there are genes that predispose individuals to behave in ways that are perceived as altruistic.

The 'naturalistic fallacy' is a fallacy, and we should not shy away from deriving ethical principles from our understanding of human nature.

The idea that human behavior is infinitely malleable is a dangerous myth.

The genetic leash is real, and it constrains the range of human social arrangements.

Religion, like other human institutions, is a product of evolution and serves adaptive functions.

The human mind is not a blank slate; it comes pre-programmed with certain predispositions and biases.

The biological basis of human behavior is not a justification for social inequality, but it is a reality that we must confront.

The greatest challenge facing humanity is the conservation of biodiversity.

We are in the midst of a mass extinction event, and humans are the primary cause.

The loss of biodiversity is not just an aesthetic problem; it is a threat to our own survival.

Half of the world's species could be extinct by the end of the century if we do not take drastic action.

The only way to save biodiversity is to set aside large areas of wilderness and protect them from human exploitation.

The 'biophilia hypothesis' suggests that humans have an innate tendency to connect with nature and other living systems.

Our disconnection from nature is a major cause of psychological and spiritual distress.

The humanities and the sciences are two different ways of knowing the world, and they need to be integrated.

All knowledge is ultimately unified, and we should strive to create a single, coherent understanding of the world.

The greatest discoveries of the future will come from the interfaces between disciplines.

The human mind is a product of natural selection, and its cognitive abilities are adapted to solve problems that were relevant to our ancestors.