The Creation and E. O. Wilson

"Let us see, then, if we can, and you are willing, to meet on the near side of metaphysics in order to deal with the real world we share." (p. 4)

"If religion and science could be united on the common ground of biological conservation, the problem would soon be solved." (p. 5)

"Scientific knowledge, humanized and well taught, is the key to achieving a lasting balance in our lives." (p. 12)

"But what is Nature? The simplest possible answer is also the best: Nature is that part of the environment and its life forms that remains after the human impact. Nature is all in planet Earth that has no need of us and can stand alone" (p. 15)

"People need insects to survive, but insects do not need us. If all humankind were to disappear tomorrow, it is unlikely that a single insect species would go extinct, except three forms of human body and head lice." (p. 33)

"Such is the philosophy of exemptionalism, which supposes that the special status on Earth of humanity lifts us above the laws of Nature. Exemptionalism takes one or the other of two forms. The first, just expressed, is secular: don't change course now human genius will provide. The second is religious: don't change course now, we are in the hands of God" (p. 83)

"Life on this planet can stand no more plundering. Quite apart from obedience to the universal moral imperative to saving the Creation, based on religion and science alike, conserving biodiversity is the best economic deal humanity has ever had placed before it since the invention of agriculture." (p. 99)

"...it is possible to glean a picture of the great goals of present-day biology. They are, I believe, as follows:
Create life: ...
reconstruct the steps that led to the origin of life ...
cure disease and repair injuries...
explain the mind ...
complete the mapping of Earth's fauna and flora ...
advance medicine, agriculture and public health. ...
Create a Tree of Life for all species ...
protect and stabilize Earth's biodiversity ...
unveil the coevolution of genes and culture." (p. 106)

"Ultimately, and at the deepest level, the Encyclopedia of Life is destined, I believe, to transform the very nature of biology, because biology is primarily a descriptive science" (p. 123)

"The Holy Grail of liberal education is the formula by which passion can be systematically expanded for both science and the humanities, hence the best in culture" (p. 127)


"Chapter 14: How to Learn Biology and How to Teach It
Teach top-down ...
Reach outside biology ...
Focus on problem solving ...
Cut deep and travel far ...
Commit yourself"

"Once the standard symbols and operations of mathematics are learned and used repeatedly to the point of second nature, scanning an equation is not very different from reading a passage in a book." (p. 133)

"From the freedom to explore comes the joy of learning. From knowledge acquired by personal initiative arises the desire for more knowledge. And from mastery of the novel and beautiful world awaiting every child comes self-confidence. The growth of the naturalist is like the growth of the musician or athlete: excellence for the talented, lifelong enjoyment for the rest, benefit for humanity" (p. 147)

"My foundation of reference has been the culture of science and some of secularism, as I understand them. From that foundation I have focused on the interaction of three problems that affect everyone: the decline of the living environment, the inadequacy of science education, and the moral confusions caused by the exponential growth of biology. In order to solve these problems, I've argued, it will be necessary to find common ground on which the powerful forces of religion and science can be joined. The best place to start is the stewardship of life." (p. 165)

"You and I are both humanists in the broadest sense: human welfare is at the center of our thought. But the difference between humanism based on religion and humanism based on science radiates through philosophy and the very meaning we assign ourselves as a species. ... What are we to do? Forget the differences, I say. Meet on common ground. That might not be as difficult as it seems at first. When you think about it our metaphysical differences have remarkably little effect on the conduct of our separate lives. My guess is that we are about equally ethical, patriotic, and altruistic. We are products of a civilization that rose both from religion and the science-based Enlightenment. We would gladly serve on the same jury, fight the same wars, sanctify human life with the same intensity. And surely we also share a love of the Creation." (p. 168)