Evolution is the theory used to describe exactly why life on earth changes the way it does. It is evident that all things change throughout time, but understanding the reason behind these changes can be infuriating. In Evolution for Everyone, David Sloane Wilson bonds the basic concepts of evolutionary theory with different disciplines such as: art, religion, language, and pro-social behaviors. Wilson establishes a unity between the evolutionary theory and the development of culture, language, art, and other disciplines.
Wilson describes the basics of evolutionary theory for the readers who may not be well acquainted with it. A quick summary explains that evolution occurs over a long period of time (millennia upon millennia). It occurs when …show more content…
Wilson examines how the concepts of the theory apply to more abstract ideas. It is obvious that human behavior and culture has changed over the years. An obvious example is the treatment of women over the past 60 years has changed dramatically. How did this change arise, though? What caused, mostly western, society to completely change its views?
The best way to understand how Wilson achieves his connection between evolutionary theory and its ability to work with more abstract ideas comes from his chapter “The Vital Arts”. Here, he discusses how the arts-both physical and performance- are important to human advancement. The disciplines discussed in this chapter could not stray farther from a ‘scientific backbone”, for a lack of a better descriptor. Because art is so subjective, Wilson achieves his goal the best here and is the most easily …show more content…
Connecting the PRO scores to dance, environments or cultures exhibiting strong social connections and support for youth raise children that are more independent. This directly connects to the evolutionary need for groups. Yet, these low PROs still are present. Again, variation benefits in many different ways. Low PRO behavior has its benefits. As Wilson says “no behavior is advantageous across all social environments” (310) and the two different prosocial tendencies were needed. For example, it may have been necessary to seem more, for the lack of a better word, “vulnerable”. It could have easily allowed individuals to receive care from others without exerting as much energy to get food, water, shelter, etc. These individuals may have been able to bear more offspring and therefore be more fit for their
Wilson describes the basics of evolutionary theory for the readers who may not be well acquainted with it. A quick summary explains that evolution occurs over a long period of time (millennia upon millennia). It occurs when …show more content…
Wilson examines how the concepts of the theory apply to more abstract ideas. It is obvious that human behavior and culture has changed over the years. An obvious example is the treatment of women over the past 60 years has changed dramatically. How did this change arise, though? What caused, mostly western, society to completely change its views?
The best way to understand how Wilson achieves his connection between evolutionary theory and its ability to work with more abstract ideas comes from his chapter “The Vital Arts”. Here, he discusses how the arts-both physical and performance- are important to human advancement. The disciplines discussed in this chapter could not stray farther from a ‘scientific backbone”, for a lack of a better descriptor. Because art is so subjective, Wilson achieves his goal the best here and is the most easily …show more content…
Connecting the PRO scores to dance, environments or cultures exhibiting strong social connections and support for youth raise children that are more independent. This directly connects to the evolutionary need for groups. Yet, these low PROs still are present. Again, variation benefits in many different ways. Low PRO behavior has its benefits. As Wilson says “no behavior is advantageous across all social environments” (310) and the two different prosocial tendencies were needed. For example, it may have been necessary to seem more, for the lack of a better word, “vulnerable”. It could have easily allowed individuals to receive care from others without exerting as much energy to get food, water, shelter, etc. These individuals may have been able to bear more offspring and therefore be more fit for their