This revised edition ofHuman Naturebegins a new phase in the most important intellectual controversy ofthis generation: Is human behavior controlled by the species' biologicalheritage? Does this heritage limit human destiny?With characteristic pungency and simplicity of style, the author ofSociobiologychallenges old prejudices and current misconceptions about thenature-nurture debate. He shows how evolution has left its traces on themost distinctively human activities, how patterns of generosity,self-sacrifice, and worship, as well as sexuality and aggression, revealtheir deep roots in the life histories of primate bands that hunted biggame in the last Ice Age. His goal is nothing less than the completionof the Darwinian revolution by bringing biological thought into thecenter of the social sciences and the humanities. Wilson presents aphilosophy that cuts across the usual categories of conservative,liberal, or radical thought. In systematically applying the moderntheory of natural selection to human society, he arrives at conclusionsfar removed from the social Darwinist legacy of the last century.Sociobiologicaltheory, he explains, is compatible with a broadly humane andegalitarian outlook. Human diversity is to be treasured, not merelytolerated, he argues. Discrimination against ethnic groups, homosexuals,and women is based on a complete misunderstanding of biological fact.But biological facts can never take the place of ethical choices. Oncewe understand our human nature, we must choose how "human" in thefullest, biological sense, we wish to remain. We cannot make this choicewith the aid of external guides or absolute ethical principles, becauseour very concept of right and wrong is wholly rooted in our ownbiological past. This paradox is fundamental to the evolution ofconsciousness in any species; there is no formula for escaping it. Thebook is published by Harvard University Press.