Wilson, Edward O. (1929–)

Edward O. Wilson was born in Alabama on June 10, 1929. He grew up with an early interest in and utter fascination with the natural world. As he recalls, this enchantment began in the seventh year of his life when he spent the summer at Paradise Beach, near Pensacola, Florida. Wilson wandered the shores and tidal pools of the beach for hours on end, day after day, always in search of creatures to study and possibly capture. He was always searching for something more gigantic than his imagination could conceive. Ironically, a childhood accident left him blind in his right eye, which was an important point in his [Page 2315]decision to be a scientist and study tiny insects he could look at closely with his good eye: namely, ants.

Wilson is known by many titles, such as research scientist, environmental activist, ethical philosopher, and entomologist. He began his distinguished career by receiving his BS from the University of Alabama in 1949, and his MS in 1950 and his PhD in 1955 from Harvard University. He has spent much of his career as a professor at Harvard University and is presently a Pelligrino University research Professor and Honorary Curator of Entomology at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology.

Wilson's early work focused on island biogeography. With R. H. MacArthur, Wilson published a theoretical explanation for the uneven distribution of species on islands. The basis of this theory depends on a balance between immigration of new species and the extinction of existing species. The main findings of this research that islands closer to the mainland will have increased biodiversity, as compared to islands at a greater distance, have become important to biodiversity conservation efforts. It has also been applied to management strategies for patchy ecosystems on mainlands that survive development but show a decrease in biodiversity.

Wilson is well known for his studies in entomology, especially myrmecology, the study of ants. He has made groundbreaking discoveries in regard to the biological basis of behavior in these social insects and applied them to the social behaviors of other animals. He was one of the first scientists to apply sociobiological theory to humans, positing that there are biological underpinnings to human behavior that have been selected for by evolution and are passed on through human genes. He even received the National Medal of Science in 1977 for his contributions.

Wilson's theories were heavily criticized and he was accused of subscribing to reductionism and genetic determinism. There is a well-known incident that occurred at the 1978 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. While Wilson was preparing to give a lecture, demonstrators charged him, poured a pitcher of ice water over his head, and said, “Wilson, you're all wet.” Many people believe the idea that there is a genetic basis to human behavior to be morally reprehensible. It is often said that sociobiology is an excuse for the less desirable conditions, which humans impose on each other. However, it more obviously purports the understanding of such behaviors will more likely result in the ability to change them rather than perpetuate them.

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