The Meaning of Human Existence

The title of the book is a very daunting mission. Wilson uses science, not religion or myth to explain humans got to where we are now. He explores our needs to be a part of a tribe or groups. He examines the role of religion and alludes to some of the evils it has created (wars, violence etc). His chapter of what ET may be like was interesting though he doubts there will ever be any contact if there are other life forms like us on other planets. He is skeptical about that possibility.

I found some of the book to be above my head. Science and biology books and topics are not part of my normal reading fare. But I get his essential point. There is no after life, there are no second chances---this is it! ( )

Interesting, but somewhat repetitive and disjointed. I really think you only need the first and last chapter to understand his themes. ( )

This book should have been titled "The Condition of Human Existence." There is nothing here about meaning, or how it might be created. This is just a biologist reminding everyone again that evolution by natural selection is scientifically factual, and creation myths and folktales are not. Here and there, he flits back and forth between insisting that the sciences and the humanities need each other, but then extolling the sciences as superior. Well, okay.

The sciences are undoubtedly superior for describing and classifying the phenomena that we experience, including ourselves. But recognizing the evolutionary bases of the human condition says nothing about the meaning of our existence—it only clears away the authority of mythological accounts that are rooted in supernatural revelation. (And his discussion of those accounts, while appropriately dismissive, is still irritatingly simplistic.) Remaining open is the question of whether, given the condition of the human species as a product of natural selection, anything resembling meaning or purpose is possible, and, if so, how we might discover or create it. Wilson has nothing to say on that question, and fails even to acknowledge that it might be asked.

He does suggest an interesting idea, which is that "individual selection favors what we call sin and group selection favors virtue" (p. 179), but it's not clear how that ought to affect the question of meaning. Undoubtedly, we humans experience a troubling conflict between our individuality and our need for social support, but that is a condition of our existence, not its meaning.

If you are looking for another restatement that, yes, evolution by natural selection really does have more explanatory power than supernaturalist creation myths for establishing the conditions of human existence, then this is a decent little book. But it offers nothing further, particularly if you are excited by the title and the prospect of tackling the problem of meaning. And for those who are not already persuaded of our evolutionary nature, I doubt this book will shift your view; he's preaching to the choir. ( )

In this series of essays, Edward O. Wilson sounds (at least to me) like an angry optimist. Humanity is impressive. We are the only species on Earth that can attempt to understand itself from anything resembling an objective perspective. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. The forces that shaped us have left us prone to a wide range of traits that may not be conducive to our continued survival, and considering how many obstacles we have already overcome, how many times we have narrowly avoided extinction, that, I think, would be a shame and a terrible waste of potential. This is not exactly how he says it, but it is the message I'm getting from what he has said. I agree and I share his concerns.

The reason I've subjectively rated this a 3 stars (I liked it) as opposed to four stars (I REALLY like it) is that it does carry an angry almost frustrated tone. I liked it because I agree with his observations and conclusions. It's not likely to convince anyone who does not. ( )

This is a two hundred page book that is chock full of information and food for thought about how the human race came to be and what put our species into the dominant position that it is. Wilson ponders the possibility of life on other planets and has some interesting theories about what they would be like if extraterrestrials do exist. A principal theme is that humans are one of the few species that work together for the good of the group rather than solely for the self interest of the individual and sees this as very unique. He is an unabashed proponent of evolution. This book WILL make you think. ( )