Oren Harman

Oren Harman, historian and author who studies the history of biology, chats about how drastic animal transformations have intrigued thinkers from Aristotle to modern scientists. He explores metamorphosis as both a biological process and a cultural metaphor. Stories include Maria Sibylla Merian’s fieldwork, debates over development, and how some insects keep memories through radical change.

Oren Harman, a Senior Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and author of "Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History," dives into fascinating insights on altruism and transformation. He explores the evolutionary benefits of altruism, discussing why it challenges traditional Darwinian thought. The conversation covers surprising statistics on instinctive heroism, the spectrum of altruism, and the cultural dynamics that shape empathy. Harman also unpacks the evolutionary puzzle of metamorphosis, revealing its prevalence and the dramatic shifts in identity it involves.

Oren Harman, historian of science and biographer of ideas, explores why so many animals undergo dramatic life changes. He discusses jellyfish that reverse aging, starfish with two simultaneous forms, and links between animal transformation and human identity. He also traces cultural influences and considers parenthood and futurism as forms of metamorphosis.