Synthesized answer
The term "consilience" originally meant "jumping together" [1, 2]. Edward O. Wilson uses this concept to describe a renewed effort, stemming from the Enlightenment, to find a unified theory of knowledge that bridges various disciplines [2].
Wilson achieves this by forging links between different fields, using the natural sciences as a model [1]. He explores connections such as the chemistry of the mind and the genetic underpinnings of culture, and even suggests biological principles that might explain works of art [1]. The passages do not provide further details on other key concepts from "On Human Nature."
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Title: Consilience by E. O. Wilson Description: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • "A dazzling journey across the sciences and humanities in search of deep laws to unite them." —The Wall Street Journal One of our greatest scientists—and the winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for On Human Nature and The Ants—gives us a work of visionary importance that may be the crowning achievement of his career. In Consilience (a word that originally meant "jumping together"), Edward O. Wilson renews the Enlightenment's search for a unified theory of knowledge in disciplines that range from physics to biology, the social…
in, and Richard Feynman. Categories: Science Pages: 485 Snippet: In Consilience (a word that originally meant "jumping together"), Edward O. Wilson renews the Enlightenment's search for a unified theory of knowledge in disciplines that range from physics to biology, the social sciences and the humanities ...