environmental-design

Chapter 5, "The Pursuit of Significance," in René J. Dubos' So Human an Animal, explores the human quest for meaning and identity within cultural, environmental, and historical contexts. Drawing on diverse references from indigenous histories, urban planning, literature, and evolutionary theory, the chapter examines how humans adapt their environments and social structures to sustain significance and continuity. It highlights the interplay between biological adaptation and cultural evolution in shaping human experience and the built environment.