Full Idea
Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival.
Gist of Idea
Beliefs are really enabling mechanisms for survival
Source
Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.1)
Book Reference
Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.3
A Reaction
How does he know this proposition which he asserts so confidently? Obvious counterexamples seem to be utterly trivial beliefs, and self-destructive beliefs. What is the evolutionary value of low self-esteem? Still, you see his point.