Skutch argues that a principle of increasing harmony drives the living world -- but along a bumpy road pitted with the paradoxes of evolution. His central purpose in this thought-provoking book is to examine the sources of these paradoxes and how they can deepen our understanding of life. Along the way he explores several biological heresies, such as anthropomorphism. He even tackles the conventional wisdom that we should strive to preserve maximum biodiversity, proposing "biocompatibility" instead.
Focusing on our present alarming situation, Skutch presents strategies -- some highly controversial -- based on his broad perspective and long ex