Overview - the most informative book on egoism or altruism, self-interest or cooperation - what is more inherent to human nature? As individuals, we are selfish, but as social beings, we prefer selfless behavior, says Edward O. Wilson, the most renowned biologist of our time, in his groundbreaking book. There is a constant conflict between these two driving forces, both in society and within each of us. The balance we strive for is always fragile. The Social Conquest of Earth is the culmination of a lifetime of innovative research, the crowning achievement of Edward O. Wilson's life work. The book begins with three fundamental questions that have fascinated humanity for millennia: Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going? Only biology, according to Wilson, is capable of answering these questions scientifically. Wilson dispels the prejudice.