Ideas from 'On Human Nature' by Edmund O. Wilson [1978], by Theme Structure

[found in 'On Human Nature' by Wilson,Edward O. [Penguin 1995,0-14-024535-9]].

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7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 3. Levels of Reality

5311	If observation goes up a level, we expect the laws of the lower level to remain in force

8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 5. Universals as Concepts

5312	A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / a. Beliefs

5309	Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / d. Ethical theory

5310	Philosophers study the consequences of ethics instead of its origins

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature

5313	The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature'

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / f. Altruism

5316	We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it

5318	Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation

23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism

5317	The actor is most convincing who believes that his performance is real

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied

5308	The only human purpose is that created by our genetic history

27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 3. Evolution

5314	Cultural evolution is Lamarckian and fast, biological evolution is Darwinian and slow

5315	Over 99 percent of human evolution has been in the hunter-gatherer phase

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / a. Religious Belief

5320	It is estimated that mankind has produced 100,000 religions