David Sloan Wilson is president of ProSocial World and SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University. He applies evolutionary theory to all aspects of humanity in addition to the rest of life, through ProSocial World and in his own research and writing. A complete archive of his work is available at www.David SloanWilson.world. His most recent books include his first novel, Atlas Hugged: The Autobiography of John Galt III, and a memoir, A Life Informed by Evolution.
What Darwin called “this view of life” has indisputably transformed the way we think about the living world.A renewed effort to rethink humanity from an evolutionary perspective didn’t gather steam until late in the 20th century. At first the enterprise was regarded as controversial but by now it has become part of mainstream science, which can be seen by perusing the academic literature.
Far from “poisoning everything”, religions often plays an integral role in regulating the practical aspects of life.Religion puzzles the nonbeliever in part because it seems to lack utility. How can belief in supernatural agents and costly practices such as ritual sacrifice produce practical benefits?
Scientists explored new solutions from an unusual source: Darwin's theory of evolution.Education isn’t working well in America, despite billions of dollars and everyone’s best intentions. Not too long ago, scientists explored new solutions from an unusual source: Darwin’s theory of evolution.
We are closer to a science of intentional change than one might think.With three members of the EI’s Scientific Advisory Board, Steven C. Hayes, Anthony Biglan, and Dennis D. Embry, we have written a review article titled “Evolving the Future: Toward a Science of Intentional Change”, which will be published in the commentary journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS).
How evolution experienced a case of arrested development in relation to human affairs.I explain how evolutionary thought has developed more or less continuously in the life sciences since Darwin, but experienced a case of arrested development in relation to human affairs. A renewed effort to rethink the human-related academic disciplines began in the late 20th century, comprising a second wave of evolutionary thought.
From extortion to to generosity, evolution in the prisoner's dilemmaThe eternal struggle between cooperative and selfish social strategies takes place on the playing field of theoretical models in addition to the real world. The prisoner's dilemma is a favorite model for exploring advantages and pitfalls of cooperation.
Welcome to the Evolution Institute’s new website, your portal to understanding and improving the human condition.
The term "Social Darwinism" is associated primarily with the moral justification of inequality, resulting in policies such as withholding welfare for the poor, colonialism, eugenics, and genocide. We would like to confront this legacy directly.
Can businesses do well by doing good? Yes, according to this report headed by EI President David Sloan Wilson. The report provides a much needed alternative to the “Greed is Good” philosophy of orthodox economic theory, which has dominated the curriculum of business schools for over 50 years.
The world appears to be tiring of the New Atheism movement, which burst upon the scene about five years ago with the so-called Four Horsemen: Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and the late Christopher Hitchens.
Why should anyone care about evolution literacy when so many other issues clamor for our attention, such as the economy, inequality, climate change, terrorism, and the refugee crisis? The answer is that evolutionary theory can help us understand and provide solutions to each and every one of these issues.
Are humans driven to behave in ways that are detrimental to our wellbeing by adaptations to past environments?
An interview with Richard Lenski, who has become world renowned for presiding over the longest running evolutionary experiment of all time, on the bacterium E. coli, which has now exceeded 65,000 generations.
Muir’s experiments reveal a tremendous naiveté in the idea that creating a good society is merely a matter of selecting the “best” individuals. A good society requires members working together to create what cannot be produced alone, or at least to refrain from exploiting each other.
Public Forum and discussion on Group Selection- all are welcome to join this free online event
Free Online Seminar
This hybrid event will provide an overview of the past, present, and future of prosocial research and action in the Nordic nations
90 minute interactive webinar on how the core design principles can be used as a practical method for increasing the efficacy of groups.
Free Seminar and Q&A Session
Interactive 90 minute webinar on the theory, evidence, examples and interactive discussion around the Core Design Principles
Join us the FEI share exciting research developments and updates, including details on the transformative work within the municipal sector!
A Daylong Public Forum Gathering Leaders and Practitioners in Contemplative-Based Social Change held in New York City
Public colloquium held in person at The University of Kentucky
A new reading group centered around David Sloan Wilson's novel, Atlas Hugged.
PERI will cohost a public lecture with David Sloan Wilson, President, Prosocial World and SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus Binghamton University
Free Seminar and Q&A
Free Seminar and Q&A
ProSocial Commons Book Club: Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Change the World, by Tyson Yunkaporta
Informal, weekly gatherings for Prosocial Commons members to connect, provide updates, and host discussions.
Can we re-define and re-design economics to respond more effectively to the complex collective challenges facing us now, and in the future?
Free Seminar and Q&A from President David Sloan Wilson