Man is proudly called «the king of nature», «the crown of creation» and is inclined to consider himself a unique product not so much of biology as of culture. Well, in fact: where do you find a flight of fancy, nobility and faith in high ideals among gophers or ciliates? So? Not quite — softly, but insistently assures the biologist and popularizer of science Matt Ridley. In his book, he demonstrates that the phenomenon of altruism, which in many ways makes a person human — in terms of morality, of course — is rooted more in biology than in culture. And that even completely brainless microorganisms are capable of sacrificing themselves for the survival of large colonies. The book summarizes the richest scientific material of the last decades, and it is very useful to read it. At least in order to relate to their place in the world a little more sensibly and, perhaps, modestly.
Eksmo, 336 p.