An unorthodox and intriguing reassessment of the evolution of life on Earth, and the biological and spiritual foundation of human culture. It casts a new light on the mechanisms and goals of ecosystem development which preconceives and parallels the development of human personality, or egosystem. The author, a specialist in palaeobotany, evolution and nature conservation at the Russian Academy of Sciences, draws on examples from ancient and modern literature in presenting his arguments. Contents: Syntheses and Consequences; Global Environmental Change; Biotic Change; Progress; Metaecology and Metaevolution; Concluding Remarks.