David Sloan Wilson
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| David Sloan Wilson | |
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| Born | 1949 |
| Occupation | Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and Anthropology |
| Parents | Sloan Wilson (father) |
David Sloan Wilson (born 1949) is an American evolutionary biologist. Son of the author Sloan Wilson, David Sloan Wilson is a distinguished professor at Binghamton University. He is a prominent proponent of the concept of group selection (aka multi-level selection) in evolution. He has, along with Elliott Sober in their book Unto Others proposed a framework called multilevel selection theory, which incorporates the more orthodox approach of gene-level selection and individual selection. This framework argues that while genes serve as the means by which organisms' designs are transmitted across generations, individuals and groups are vehicles for those genes and both are arenas for genes to act on. Indeed, genes themselves can be affected by selection, not just because of their effects on the design of their vehicle (the organism) but also because of their effect on the functioning of the DNA on which they reside. Hence, the notion of multilevel selection. Wilson has also coined the concept of a trait-group, a group of organisms linked not permanently as a group but having a shared fate due to interactions that they have.
Wilson's book Darwin's Cathedral proposes that religion is a multi-level adaptation, a product of cultural evolution developed through a process of multi-level selection for more cooperative and cohesive groups.
His latest book Evolution for Everyone: How Darwin's Theory Can Change the Way We Think About Our Lives attempts to give an introduction to evolution for a broad audience, detailing the various ways in which evolution can be applied to everyday affairs. There is also a class at Binghamton University that is called "Evolution for Everyone", and students are required to read the book as part of the class.
Wilson started the Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program at Binghamton University to provide a program that unifies diverse disciplines under the theory of evolution. Students in the program take evolution-themed courses in a variety of disciplines including biology, anthropology, psychology, bioengineering, philosophy, religion and the psychology of religion. There is also a required course called Current Topics in Evolutionary Studies where students attend weekly seminars with a discussion followed afterward. SUNY New Paltz has started a similar program.
D.S. Wilson and his co-author E.O. Wilson have become well-known for the quote, "Selfishness beats altruism within groups. Altruistic groups beat selfish groups. Everything else is commentary." This quote appeared in their paper, "Rethinking the Theoretical Foundation of Sociobiology."
Wilson is now a blogger for the Huffington Post,[1] where he extensively discusses and defends both the theory of evolution and his multilevel selection model.
[edit] References
- ^ "David Sloan Wilson's blog at Huffington Post". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sloan-wilson/#blogger_bio.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: David Sloan Wilson |
- Wilson's personal homepage
- "Darwin's God" article in New York Times Magazine for March 4, 2007. Includes interview with Wilson.
- "Evolution: Survival of the selfless" article written with E. O. Wilson in New Scientist, 03 November, 2007
- EVOS Evolutionary Studies Program at Binghamton University
- Video: Evolution and Religion
- Video: Ethics and the University
- Video: Daniel Dennett presents lecture based on theories of David Sloan Wilson
- Rethinking the Theoretical Foundation of Sociobiology
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