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Post by trinity on May 3, 2020 12:53:08 GMT -8
I've been intending to read this E.O. Wilson classic for several decades now, and finally got around to it. It is not a quick read, it is very densely but beautifully written. I often found myself reading and rereading paragraphs, trying to keep all the information straight. But it was a joy to read, and one of the most interesting and exciting books I have ever read.
The premise of this book, as the subtitle implies, is that knowledge can be unified across disciplines. The early parts of the book focus on unifying across the various branches of the sciences, then extends that "consilience" to the humanities, including culture, the arts, ethics, and religion, exploring such topics as the neurobiology of aesthetics and the genetic basis of culture. It is a stunningly ambitious work that, in my opinion, succeeds on all levels. Wilson has long been a hero of mine, mostly as a biologist, but the breadth of his knowledge and understanding is mind-boggling. This is a must-read, especially for anyone interested in the nature of existence, life, and humanity. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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