E.O. Wilson on Altruism and the New Enlightenment (New Scientist interview, republished by Slate)

Their wordsOne of the key ideas to explain this has been kin selection theory or inclusive fitness, which argues that individuals cooperate according to how they are related. I have had doubts about it for quite a while. Standard natural selection is simpler and superior.

Their wordsHumans originated by multilevel selection—individual selection interacting with group selection, or tribe competing against tribe.

Their wordsIndividual versus group selection results in a mix of altruism and selfishness, of virtue and sin, among the members of a society.

Their wordsWe ought to recognize that religious strife is not the consequence of differences among people. It’s about conflicts between creation stories.

Their wordsWe have created a Star Wars civilization but we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. That’s dangerous.

Their wordsSurely one moral precept we can agree on is to stop destroying our birthplace, the only home humanity will ever have.

Their wordsIt’s a commonly stated idea that we can have other planets to live on once we have used this one up. That is nonsense.