Ultrasocial
The Evolution of Human Nature and the Quest for a Sustainable Future

Society is an ultrasocial superorganism whose requirements take precedence over individuals. What does this mean for humanity's future?

John M. Gowdy (Author)

9781108838269, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 August 2021

282 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.56 kg

'In this highly original, stimulating, and provocative interdisciplinary analysis, John Gowdy bridges the agricultural societies of African mound-building termites and fungus-gardening ants with human nature to generate deep insights into modern economics and sustainability.' James Traniello, Boston University

Ultrasocial argues that rather than environmental destruction and extreme inequality being due to human nature, they are the result of the adoption of agriculture by our ancestors. Human economy has become an ultrasocial superorganism (similar to an ant or termite colony), with the requirements of superorganism taking precedence over the individuals within it. Human society is now an autonomous, highly integrated network of technologies, institutions, and belief systems dedicated to the expansion of economic production. Recognizing this allows a radically new interpretation of free market and neoliberal ideology which - far from advocating personal freedom - leads to sacrificing the well-being of individuals for the benefit of the global market. Ultrasocial is a fascinating exploration of what this means for the future direction of the humanity: can we forge a better, more egalitarian, and sustainable future by changing this socio-economic - and ultimately destructive - path? Gowdy explores how this might be achieved.

Part I. The Evolution of Human Ultrasociality: 1. The Ultrasocial Origin of our Existential Crisis
2. The Evolution of Ultrasociality in Humans and Social Insects
3. Our Hunter-Gatherer Heritage and the Evolution of Human Nature
4. The Agricultural Transition and how it Changed our Species
Part II. The Rise and Consolidation of State/Market Societies: 5. The Rise of State Societies
6. The Modern State/Market Superorganism
7. Neoliberalism: The Ideology of the Superorganism
Part III. Back to the Future: 8. Taming the Market: A Minimal Bioeconomic Program
9. Evolving a Sustainable and Equitable Future: What can we learn from Non-Market Cultures?
10. Reclaiming Human Nature: The Future will be Better (Eventually)
Index.

Subject Areas: Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Climate change [RNPG], Environmental management [RNF], Animal ecology [PSVS], Evolution [PSAJ], Environmental economics [KCN], International relations [JPS], Anthropology [JHM], Ethical issues & debates [JFM]