(source)
|
Edward O. Wilson
(10 Jun 1929 - 26 Dec 2021)
American biologist known for his study of ants. He is an active environmentalist.
|
Edward O. Wilson Quotes on Biology (10 quotes)
>> Click for 78 Science Quotes by Edward O. Wilson
>> Click for Edward O. Wilson Quotes on | Diversity | Evolution | Gene | Genetics | Knowledge | Organism | Population | Species |
>> Click for 78 Science Quotes by Edward O. Wilson
>> Click for Edward O. Wilson Quotes on | Diversity | Evolution | Gene | Genetics | Knowledge | Organism | Population | Species |
A complete survey of life on Earth may appear to be a daunting task. But compared with what has been dared and achieved in high-energy physics, molecular genetics, and other branches of “big science,” it is in the second or third rank.
— Edward O. Wilson
In 'Edward O. Wilson: The Biological Diversity Crisis: A Challenge to Science', Issues in Science and Technology (Fall 1985), 2, No. 1, 26.
Biology is a science of three dimensions. The first is the study of each species across all levels of biological organization, molecule to cell to organism to population to ecosystem. The second dimension is the diversity of all species in the biosphere. The third dimension is the history of each species in turn, comprising both its genetic evolution and the environmental change that drove the evolution. Biology, by growing in all three dimensions, is progressing toward unification and will continue to do so.
— Edward O. Wilson
In 'Systematics and the Future of Biology', Systematics and the Origin of Species: on Ernst Mayr's 100th anniversary, Volume 102, Issues 22-26 (2005), 1.
Economists use the expression “opportunity costs” for losses incurred through certain choices made over others, including ignorance and inaction. For systematics, or more precisely the neglect of systematics and the biological research dependent upon it, the costs are very high.
— Edward O. Wilson
In 'Edward O. Wilson: The Biological Diversity Crisis: A Challenge to Science', Issues in Science and Technology (Fall 1985), 2, No. 1, 25.
If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are not the same as truth. The human mind evolved to believe in the gods. It did not evolve to believe in biology.
— Edward O. Wilson
Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (1998, 1999), 286
Marxism is sociobiology without biology … Although Marxism was formulated as the enemy of ignorance and superstition, to the extent that it has become dogmatic it has faltered in that commitment and is now mortally threatened by the discoveries of human sociobiology.
— Edward O. Wilson
In On Human Nature (1978), 191.
Society increasingly has neglected the substructure of biology, to its own peril.
— Edward O. Wilson
In Pamela Weintraub (ed.), 'E. O. Wilson', The Omni Interviews (1984), 233.
The key to the sociobiology of mammals is milk.
— Edward O. Wilson
In Sociobiology (1975), 456.
The time has come to link ecology to economic and human development. When you have seen one ant, one bird, one tree, you have not seen them all. What is happening to the rain forests of Madagascar and Brazil will affect us all.
— Edward O. Wilson
Quoted in Jamie Murphy and Andrea Dorfman, 'The Quiet Apocalypse,' Time (13 Oct 1986).
To be anthropocentric is to remain unaware of the limits of human nature, the significance of biological processes underlying human behavior, and the deeper meaning of long-term genetic evolution.
— Edward O. Wilson
Tanner Lecture on Human Values, University of Michigan, 'Comparative Social Theory' (30 Mar 1979).
We need to explore the possibility that homosexual bonding may be a biological mechanism.
— Edward O. Wilson
In Pamela Weintraub (ed.), 'E. O. Wilson', The Omni Interviews (1984), 225.
See also:
- 10 Jun - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Wilson's birth.
- Edward O. Wilson - “Burning a Renaissance Painting to Cook a Meal” illustrated quote - Medium 500px
- Edward O. Wilson - “Burning a Renaissance Painting to Cook a Meal” illustrated quote - Large 800px
- Naturalist, by Edward O. Wilson. - book suggestion.
- Booklist for Edward O. Wilson.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
