Materials for discussing the problems of evolution at a joint seminar of the Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Faculty of Psychology of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov. The book presents a series of articles revealing the historical and evolutionary approach as a methodology for studying developing systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between adaptive and preadaptive models of evolution. What role does uncertainty play in the evolutionary process? What is the pedigree of sociality? Can psychology be considered as one of the life diversity sciences? The search for answers to these questions is addressed to those who are looking for an interdisciplinary synthesis of the sciences of nature, man and society.