What David Geary has said about War and the origins of civilization
2 quotes · 1 episode · Nov 5, 2026
David Geary, Evolutionary psychologist, cognitive scientist, and professor at the University of Missouri, has been quoted on War and the origins of civilization 2 times in 1 episode of Modern Wisdom, most recently on November 5, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Geary argues that war was the primary driver of building civilizations.
“I think war was the primary driver of the building of civilizations”
Modern Wisdom: How War Shaped Human Evolution - David Geary - #1172 (Nov 5, 2026) · Listen from 26:40
Geary criticizes social scientists for refusing to accept that humans are a violent species.
“a lot of social scientists don't like to hear that we're a violent species. It's kind of like off the table for them, which means they'll never fully understand our evolution”
Modern Wisdom: How War Shaped Human Evolution - David Geary - #1172 (Nov 5, 2026) · Listen from 28:16
Episodes
How War Shaped Human Evolution - David Geary - #1172Modern Wisdom · Nov 5, 2026 · 1 h 12 min
Evolutionary psychologist David Geary tells Chris Williamson how male coalitional warfare, status competition, and technology shaped human brain evolution and modern behavior.
David Geary on other topics
- Social status · 3 quotes
- Sex differences in competition · 2 quotes
- The Origin of Mind · 1 quote
- Evolutionary mismatch · 1 quote
- Patriarchy · 1 quote
- Paternal investment · 1 quote
- Default mode network · 1 quote
- Reproductive skew · 1 quote