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.

戴維•斯隆•威爾遜

美國著名進化生物學傢，賓厄姆頓大學生物學與人類學教授。

和同行在賓厄姆大學創立EVOS進化研究項目，並開設一門課程《每個人的進化論》，涉及不同學科，包括生物學，人類學，心理學，生物工程，哲學，宗教和宗教心理學，頗受好評。

著有《達爾文大教堂：演化、宗教和社會本質》，是《施與：無私行為的演化發展與心理學》的共同作者，同事參與《文學動物：演化與敘事本質》的編輯工作。