The descent of Darwinism : a philosophical critique of sociobiology
The following thesis offers a philosophical critique of sociobiology, which is identified as a recent attempt to produce a general theory of animal behaviour, encompassing an account of human nature. The first chapter examines the empirical and theoretical foundations of sociobiology, highlighting some of the philosophical topics regarding the relation of the natural and social sciences, and the attempt to offer an account of human nature within a largely mathematical and mechanistic theoretical framework. Chapter two looks at the major specific areas of human behaviour featured in sociobiological accounts. A close examination of empirical evidence, underlying theoretical assumptions, behavioural categories and definitions, and finally deduced conclusions reveals several weaknesses and examples of fallacious reasoning. The third chapter continues to examine the account of human nature in relation to the broadest and most abstract features of social structures and interactions. The political dimension of sociobiology is examined - both in terms of its account of political behaviour, and in the theoretical opposition between sociobiology and left wing ideologies. The sociobiological account of religious behaviour
Foster, William David
Sociobiology ; Behavior (Evolution) ; Animal behavior
The descent of Darwinism : a philosophical critique of sociobiology. The following thesis offers a philosophical critique of sociobiology, which is identified as a recent attempt to produce a general theory of animal behaviour, encompassing an account of human nature. The first chapter examines the empirical and theoretical foundations of sociobiology, highlighting some of the philosophical topics regarding the relation of the natural and social sciences, and the attempt to offer an account of human nature within a largely mathematical and mechanistic theoretical framework. Chapter two looks at the major specific areas of human behaviour featured in sociobiological accounts. A close examination of empirical evidence, underlying theoretical assumptions, behavioural categories and definitions, and finally deduced conclusions reveals several weaknesses and examples of fallacious reasoning. The third chapter continues to examine the account of human nature in relation to the broadest and most abstract features of social structures and interactions. The political dimension of sociobiology is examined - both in terms of its account of political behaviour, and in the theoretical opposition between sociobiology and left wing ideologies. The sociobiological account of religious behaviour
descent darwinism philosophical critique sociobiology follow offer philosophical critique sociobiology identify recent attempt produce general_theory animal behaviour encompass account human_nature first_examine empirical_theoretical foundation sociobiology highlight philosophical topic regard relation natural social_science attempt offer_account human_nature within largely mathematical mechanistic theoretical_framework look major specific area human_behaviour feature account close_examination empirical_evidence underlie theoretical_assumption behavioural category definition finally conclusion reveals several weakness examples reasoning third continue examine account human_nature relation broad abstract feature social_structure interaction political_dimension sociobiology examine term account political behaviour theoretical opposition sociobiology leave wing ideology account religious behaviour