A New Year gift for those who understand: two new books by Edward Wilson

I risk posting on this site PDF versions of two magnificent books. I consider them an essential part of biological education and necessary reading for intellectually mature people. Edward Wilson is not only one of the greatest modern theoretical biologists, but also a remarkable writer. Here are translations of his two recent books: “The Social Conquest of Earth” (2012) and “The Meaning of Human Existence” (2014). I repeat a disclaimer I consider necessary. I hope that by posting electronic versions here, I do not reduce sales of publishers to whom we owe these translations. My goal is educational, not commercial. If you can buy these wonderful books in print, please do. I was somewhat surprised by threats of criminal prosecution for reproducing text of the book published by Alpina Non-fiction. Strange situation: they deserve gratitude for making the book more accessible; at the same time they try to make Wilson’s text and ideas their property. I am convinced these claims are excessive and unjustified. Here are the books I suggest you read: Wilson E. The Social Conquest of Earth. — St. Petersburg: Piter, 2014. — 352 p. Wilson E. The Meaning of Human Existence. — Moscow: Alpina Non-fiction, 2015. — 216 p. [IMG_1] The context in which these books can be placed was partly discussed in my column “Battle of Titans” (written more than three years ago). The key idea is multilevel selection. Incidentally, my attempt to formulate my own position in the Edward Wilson vs Richard Dawkins debate led to understanding that multilevel selection... ... "We are shaped by opposing forces that formed us. We can hardly wholly surrender to one of them, even if that would ideally solve all social and political troubles. If we fully yielded to instinctive drives from individual selection, society would disintegrate. At the same time, if we submitted to group selection pressure, we would become sinless biorobots — giant ants, one might say. This eternal conflict is not a test sent by God to man. Not machinations of Satan. It simply turned out this way. Perhaps conflict is the only possible path in the Universe toward intelligence and social organization of human level. Someday we will learn to live with our innate contradictions and perhaps even, not without pleasure, view them as the main source of our creativity." (Edward Wilson, “The Meaning of Human Existence”)