The Meaning of Human Existence

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.

A very thoughtful speculation on "the meaning of human existence", which the author sees in primarily evolutionary terms. His position is that we Homo Sapiens, who currently dominate the earthly biosphere, are the result of billions of years of natural selection, not the mythical creation of supernatural powers. Wilson holds no truck with religious explanations, and sees most religions as formerly useful forms of tribalism held over from earlier stages of human evolution. Those attached to "faith based" religion of any variety will inevitably reject this whole argument. But for those who,like me, cannot accept religious explanations of mankind, it is a powerful and persuasive argument.

I highly recommend this book for people who're really interested in learning where we came from and why we are here. Raised in a religious family in the south, as was Dr. Wilson, I was taught the creation story and all of the other dogma of our religion. Only in the past fifteen years have I really started looking at the "big picture" and understanding what humankind has done to our planet. Wilson notes that he was surprised that hardly anyone is talking about the crucial "big picture" when it comes to how we humans are rapidly destroying the fragile ecosystem that sustains us. This information should be taught in all our schools, but that won't happen anytime soon. That's because at least half of Americans do not believe that humans evolved, and that percentage is going in the wrong direction.

The title of this book is intriguing but it doesn't live up to it. He doesn't actually talk much about the meaning of human existence. I imagine the title was chosen for marketing reasons. A short, dry read.

This book is a deep dive into the study of social biology and competing theories. Wilson is one of the great intellectuals of our time and has had a significant impact on the field of social biology. The book is a challenging read and a general understanding of statistics is recommended.

It has met my expectations. I ordered this book because of several reviews that I read, and a documentary on PBS of Mr. Wilson. I have enjoyed reading it, the only drawback is that I have had to keep a dictionary by my side which really slowed me down, otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. Never the less, an excellent read which backs up much of my thinking.

This highly readable text takes on perhaps the most important issue for all humankind from vantage point of an intelligent and remarkably informed mind. The emphasis on biological evolution as the origin of all life including human is solid and convincing. Continuing from his previous writings on consilience, the author proposes a stimulating and productive view of the complementarity of science and the humanities - a refreshing view from a scientist. The criticism of religion in this book is sure to incur opposition but should instead prompt introspection and renewed self-criticism from the religious. Perhaps the aspect of religion that gets relatively little treatment in this book is its role in helping humans cope with the fear of death. The author exemplifies clear-eyed strength of character and intellectual honesty in his analysis and conclusion about the false basis of all religions, but it would be interesting and perhaps productive to take the same approach to a more in-depth analysis of the origin and function of religion in shielding believers from facing their mortality and in celebrating altruistic, compassionate behavior. Until the majority of the human race finds a way to cope with the fear of death without the crutch of religion, it seems doubtful that the grip of religion and its myths will ever be released. Where else does the courage come from to face the truth of mortal human existence?

Only the last chapter covers the title of the book, a title chosen I am sure only to sell the book!I did buy this book and I regret having wasting my money. The author, no matter his education, is incapable of giving any rational and logical answer that would make sense!Here is what he says in chapter 15: Alone anda Free in the Universe:---"We are created not by a supernatural intelligence but by chance and necessity as one species out of millions in Earth's biosphere."---"We are, it seems, completely alojne." [Oh yes, you would know that!]---"So, what is the meaning of human existence?I've suggested that it is the epic of the species." [His pet sujbects! What a stupid conclusion! Not to mention that the entire book cannot prove rationally anything!]---"Humaninty arose as an accident of evolution, a product of random mutation and natural selection." {Who with a rational and logical brain could make such a stupid claim that is so simplistic?!I do not deny evolution for humans but I do not see any proof that evolution would have created humans on Earth and that is the big problem.]More, the author does not mention all the flaws of the theory of evolution; he uses it as if it was a scientific fact when it is far from being a true fact, it is just a theory that has many flaws!We know that humans and animals and plants have evolved during many millennia, but what we do not know at all is that how we humans came into being? Oh, wait a minute, the author claims to know and, for him, we come from the chimpanzees!!In fact, according to the author, we would come from inert rocks that were created during the big bang explosion. Another false claim that any rational and logical person with a brain would never accept.So, who created humans? I have no clues whatsoever but I do know that we were not created from inert rocks after the big bang explosion and we do not come either from chimpanzees! Both stupid ideas the author believes in!!

A jewel of a book if you feel it is important to take a grip on the understanding of how homo sapiens came to be the most intelligent, contradictory, dysfunctional and destructive animal roaming planet earth, and how religion plays a dangerous role as the root of tribal behaviour and source of superstitious, irrational, and anti-scientific thinking.

Should be mandatory reading! Read it 3 times already! A small book with a wealth of information and wisdom from one of the most knowledgeable scientists a live.

Nothing much revealing

Enjoyable quick read.