Who Is Jeremy Griffith?

Jeremy Griffith, the Australian biologist and author, is best known for his pioneering work on the human condition—a topic he has explored and written about for over 50 years. Through a series of in-depth scientific books, most notably FREEDOM: The End Of The Human Condition, Griffith presents a biological explanation for humanity’s contradictory nature—our ability for immense love and compassion alongside devastating cruelty and selfishness. His work offers a new understanding of our species' psychological struggle and proposes a way forward for personal and collective transformation.

From Wildlife Conservation to Human Psychology

Jeremy Griffith grew up in rural Australia and studied biology at the University of New England. He gained early recognition not in academia, but as a conservationist. At just 21 years old, he launched a high-profile campaign to save the endangered Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine), earning widespread attention for his commitment and dedication to the natural world. Sadly, after a six-year extensive search, Griffith’s pursuit confirmed that the Thylacine was indeed extinct.

Yet, his deeper and more enduring interest lay in the underlying psychological and biological forces driving human behaviour—forces he recognised as responsible for predicaments such as the destruction of the Thylacine. This curiosity led to a pivotal shift in focus: from attempting to save wildlife, to understanding the human mind itself.

Griffith’s transition marked the beginning of a lifelong quest that would span more than five decades and culminate in a scientific explanation of the human condition—an insight that answers the deepest existential questions of human life.

Jeremy Griffith’s Treatise on the Human Condition

Jeremy Griffith’s central premise is that the human condition can be explained as the result of a psychological conflict between our instinctive self and our conscious intellect.

He explains that when humans developed a fully conscious mind some two million years ago, a clash emerged between this intellect and our species’ pre-existing instincts, which were orientated towards living cooperatively and lovingly. While instincts—shaped by gene-based natural selection—are inherently inflexible, the conscious mind—based on the nerve-based learning system—must experiment and reason to gain understanding.

As our intellect began to assert itself, it inevitably came into conflict with our instincts, which couldn’t understand these deviations and condemned them. This led to an unbearable sense of guilt and self-doubt, and thus began humanity’s psychologically defensive state—manifesting in anger, egocentricity, and alienation. The competitive pursuit of power, fame, and fortune was born from this insecurity.

According to Griffith, once we understand this dynamic, the conflict can begin to dissolve. In his words:

“It enables us to see that our divisive human nature was not an unchangeable or immutable state...but the result of the human condition, our inability to understand ourselves, and, as such, it can dissipate now that we have found that understanding”.

Key Ideas from Jeremy Griffith's 'FREEDOM'

Griffith’s landmark book, FREEDOM: The End of the Human Condition presents his comprehensive explanation of the human condition. In it, he:

• Traces the evolutionary origins of our conscious mind and its clash with our instinctive orientation
• Shows how this battle has shaped human behaviour, history, and culture
• Outlines a path to psychological freedom and healing through understanding

The central insight reiterated throughout the book, is that humans are fundamentally good. Griffith demonstates that the anger, egocentricity and alienation we see in human behaviour today isn't due to an inherent evil nature or wild animalistic instincts, but the result of a deep internal conflict between our instinctual selves and our developing conscious minds

By providing a rational, accountable, and biological explanation of the human condition, Griffith argues that we can finally break the cycle of human suffering—and begin a new era grounded in our species’ true loving and cooperative nature.

Acclaim from Eminent Thinkers and Scientists

Griffith’s work has attracted praise from respected scientists and scholars across a range of disciplines. Many have recognised the depth and significance of his explanation of the human condition, receiving notable endorsements including:

Professor Harry Prosen, former President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, described FREEDOM as:

“THE book that saves the world… the holy grail of insight we have sought for the psychological rehabilitation of the human race.”

Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, renowned for his work on flow and positive psychology, said of Griffith's work, that it:

“Might help bring about a paradigm shift in the self-image of humanity—an outcome that in the past only the great world religions have achieved.”

Other notable supporters include geneticist Charles Birch, ecologist Stuart Hurlbert, physicist Stephen Hawking, and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, all of whom have expressed admiration for the scope and significance of Griffith’s insights.

The World Transformation Movement (WTM)

In 1983, Griffith co-founded the World Transformation Movement (WTM)—a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing this explanation of the human condition with the world. The WTM supports educational initiatives, community discussion, and the global spread of this understanding.

Today, there are over 80 WTM Centres in nearly 30 countries, each operated by volunteers inspired by the exciting potential for human transformation. The movement includes people from all walks of life—parents, students, teachers, scientists, engineers, farmers, doctors, and many more—united by a desire for a more understanding and compassionate world.

Why Jeremy Griffith’s Work Matters Today

Jeremy Griffith’s explanation of the human condition offers a hopeful and transformative lens on what it means to be human. At a time when society faces increasing division and psychological distress, his work enables self-reflection and understanding, empathy, and genuine healing—both individually and collectively.

As stated on the cover of his 2020 interview with broadcaster Craig Conway, Griffith’s message is ultimately one of hope:

“It presents the completely redeeming, uplifting and healing understanding of the core mystery and problem about human behaviour of our so-called ‘good and evil’-stricken human condition — thus ending all the conflict and suffering in human life at its source, and providing the now urgently needed road map for the complete rehabilitation and transformation of our lives and world!”.

All of Jeremy Griffith's work is freely available from the World Transformation Movement website.