Welcome to the
David Sloan Wilson Archive

Welcome to the David Sloan Wilson Archive

I am a scientist and writer who is lucky to be alive during an important period in the history of ideas. When I entered the field of evolutionary biology in the 1970’s, it was confined almost entirely to genetic evolution. Everything that evolves was portrayed as a form of selfishness. And evolution was emphatically said to have no purpose.

Now, evolution is envisioned as any process that combines the three ingredients of variation, selection, and replication—including the fast-paced changes swirling around us (cultural evolution) and within us (our personal evolution). The evolution of goodness can be explained at face value. And human cultural evolution indubitably has an intentional component.

In other words, to a remarkable extent, we imagine our realities and then bring them into being.

I’m proud to have contributed to this sea change in evolutionary thinking, to have written about it for the general public, and most of all to help “consciously evolve a world that works for all” through my nonprofit organization Prosocial World. Please think of this website as a way to first learn about and then to join me and many others in continuing to evolve a prosocial future.

Introducing ProSocial

A science-based approach integrating previously isolated academic disciplines.

ProSocial World is for activists, idealists, pragmatists, visionaries, and contemplative change agents; in short, anyone who has a prosocial worldview.

It uniquely places the vision of spiritual seekers, who embark on a foundation of the most recent developments in evolutionary science.

Visit ProSocial World

Featured Academic Works

Newly Published

Multilevel Cultural Evolution: From New Theory to Practical Applications
by David Sloan Wilson, Guru Madhavanc, Michele J. Gelfandd, Steven C. Hayese, Paul W. B. Atkins,
and Rita R. Colwellg

"Prosociality evolves not only in the context of physical activities but also in the context of mental activities. What we notice, remember, and decide to do are all fundamentally social activities that take place among trusted others. To be truly alone or surrounded by uncaring others is to be mentally incapacitated."

Other Featured Works

Featured Online Content


Other books by David Sloan Wilson

News Updates

  • A Life Informed by Evolution

    Read David's Memoir Here David has just completed a short memoir covering his lifelong interest in biology, evolution, science in general, and what it was like growing up the son of one of America's most famous novelists. Download a PDF copy from our special download page.

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  • An Open Letter to the Ayn Rand Institute

    Watch the Video HERE I’m glad that my novel Atlas Hugged has come to the attention of The Ayn Rand Institute via Ben Bayer and Keith Lockitch, including their video conversation and Ben’s comment on my Nautilus article I have Come to Bury Ayn Rand. Far from succumbing to a…

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  • My Naughty Nautilus Article...

    View the Article HERE This article published in Nautilus magazine, titled "I Have Come to Bury Ayn Rand", has received over 40K views. That's what a naughty title gets you! The article owes a lot to the shaping influence of editor Brian Gallagher, who encouraged me to write it in…

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Evolution of the Heart

On July 6th, 2021 Mind & Life honored the Dalai Lama’s birthday with the release of “Evolution of the Heart.”

The 37-minute film chronicles conversations between the Dalai Lama, evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, and social scientist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela. The film emerged from a 2019 Mind & Life event, “Conversations on Compassion, Interconnection, and Transformation,” held in Dharamsala, India.