Edward Osborne Wilson was an American biologist renowned as the ‘Modern-Day Darwin’. He specialized in myrmecology, the study of ants, on which he was called the world’s leading expert. He was well-known for his environmental advocacy. He received more than 150 prestigious awards as well as more than 40 honorary doctorates.
Wilson was born on June 10, 1929. He received his early training in biology at the University of Alabama and a doctorate in biology at Harvard University in 1955. He has contributed greatly to ecological theory and sociobiology and his works have been studied deeply by students all around the world. In 1995, he was named one of the 25 most influential personalities in America by Time. He passed away on 27 December 2021.
1 We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. -E. O. Wilson
We’ve reached that era where information is everything, even if it lacks intellect. We consume loads of information and those who control information control almost everything.
2 Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction. E. O. Wilson
Nature is the key to everything. If we’re going to neglect its importance in our lives and continue to destroy it, we’ll always lag behind in development and eventually end up destroying ourselves.
3 People need a sacred narrative. They must have a sense of larger purpose, in one form or another, however intellectualized. -E. O. Wilson
People need to have something to believe in. They need to have a sense of meaning and purpose to their lives. Religion is the perfect source for it and hence, people tend to turn towards religion when they feel despair.
4 Political ideology can corrupt the mind, and science. -E. O. Wilson
Politics is surely a dirty game. No one who gets into it comes out clean. If politics is allowed to mingle with science, it will soon end up corrupting it and hindering it’s progress.
5 We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. -E. O. Wilson
Life on Earth is precious. We’ve already destroyed a large chunk of it and it is critical that we preserve whatever is left of it while trying to learn more.
6 It’s always been a great survival value for people to believe they belong to a superior tribe. -E. O. Wilson
People crave a sense of belonging, mostly owing to the fact that humans are social animals. They somehow feel the need to show the world that their tribe or “community” is superior and better.
7 Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal. -E. O. Wilson
Rainforests are essential to life on Earth. Destroying them under the pretext of development is the equivalent of tearing down a tree for a toothpick.
8 Change will come slowly, across generations, because old beliefs die hard even when demonstrably false. E. O. Wilson
Traditions are passed down from generation to generation and become stronger over time. But change is inevitable even if it’s slow. Old beliefs are strong since they’ve been cemented over time even if they are obviously false.
9 The two major challenges for the 21st century are to improve the economic situation of the majority and save as much of the planet as we can. -E. O. Wilson
The 21st century has presented humans with a very difficult problem. We’ve to solve the economic crisis prevalent in most countries and uplift the poor. At the same time, we have to make sure that in the process of economic growth, we do not harm what is left of nature
10 The human mind evolved to believe in the gods. It did not evolve to believe in biology.-E. O. Wilson
It’s fascinating how the human mind believes in seemingly absurd things that religion puts forth even without evidence. When it comes to science though, the human mind still looks at it with doubt even if they have enough evidence, Flat-Earthers and Anti-Vaxxers being prime examples.
11 Sometimes a concept is baffling not because it is profound but because it is wrong. -E. O. Wilson
It’s commonly thought that difficult concepts are often profound and deep. But the truth is that, some things are simply wrong and that’s what makes it so baffling and above our imagination.
12 If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. -E. O. Wilson
Tiny insects are one of the most important parts of our ecology. The truth is that if humans were to disappear, the world would return back to its rich state of equilibrium but without insects, the world would eventually perish.
13 You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. -E. O. Wilson
We often underestimate our own capabilities. We are capable of more than we know. If we set our minds to something, there’s nothing we cannot achieve.
14 Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist. The world needs all you can give. -E. O. Wilson
When faced with challenges, you must persist and move forward. You may have to be alone at times and face numerous failures along the way, but that’s alright.The world needs us to do all we can to progress further.
15 Aim high. Behave honorably. -E. O. Wilson
Don’t be afraid to dream big. Choose a goal and strive towards it. There are no shortcuts to success so work ethically and give it your all.
15 Best E. O. Wilson Quotes On Nature And Ecology
1. We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. -E. O. Wilson
2. Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction. E. O. Wilson
3. People need a sacred narrative. They must have a sense of larger purpose, in one form or another, however intellectualized. -E. O. Wilson
4. Political ideology can corrupt the mind, and science. -E. O. Wilson
5. We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. -E. O. Wilson
6. It’s always been a great survival value for people to believe they belong to a superior tribe. -E. O. Wilson
7. Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal. -E. O. Wilson
8. Change will come slowly, across generations, because old beliefs die hard even when demonstrably false. E. O. Wilson
9. The two major challenges for the 21st century are to improve the economic situation of the majority and save as much of the planet as we can. -E. O. Wilson
10. The human mind evolved to believe in the gods. It did not evolve to believe in biology.-E. O. Wilson
11. Sometimes a concept is baffling not because it is profound but because it is wrong. -E. O. Wilson
12. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. -E. O. Wilson
13. You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. -E. O. Wilson
14. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist. The world needs all you can give. -E. O. Wilson
15. Aim high. Behave honorably. -E. O. Wilson