An evolutionary analysis of evolutionary sociology
The general topic of this research is scientific success and the form it might take in sociology. The recent resurgence of evolutionary thinking across the social sciences has potentially positive implications for sociology and its understanding of social change. To evaluate this evolutionary turn in relation to sociology, I focus on David Hull's evolutionary analysis of scientific change and success, which claims that a social mechanism lies at the heart of the selection processes that occur in science. What is good for the individual is what is good for science as a whole, he argues, and it is descent that matters more in analyzing this process than conceptual similarity. Hull believes such an evolutionary account makes sense of both success and failure, though he doubts that sociology can be considered a science. My contention is that by applying his evolutionary analysis to evolutionary sociology, not only can his claims be tested and modified, but also that insights into the sociology of knowledge will be generated. To achieve this, I examine a large range of texts and commentary on evolutionary theory and sociology from the early nineteenth century until the recent present. All of these theories of evolution
O'Malley, Maureen Anne
Science; Epistemology; Systems
An evolutionary analysis of evolutionary sociology. The general topic of this research is scientific success and the form it might take in sociology. The recent resurgence of evolutionary thinking across the social sciences has potentially positive implications for sociology and its understanding of social change. To evaluate this evolutionary turn in relation to sociology, I focus on David Hull's evolutionary analysis of scientific change and success, which claims that a social mechanism lies at the heart of the selection processes that occur in science. What is good for the individual is what is good for science as a whole, he argues, and it is descent that matters more in analyzing this process than conceptual similarity. Hull believes such an evolutionary account makes sense of both success and failure, though he doubts that sociology can be considered a science. My contention is that by applying his evolutionary analysis to evolutionary sociology, not only can his claims be tested and modified, but also that insights into the sociology of knowledge will be generated. To achieve this, I examine a large range of texts and commentary on evolutionary theory and sociology from the early nineteenth century until the recent present. All of these theories of evolution
evolutionary analysis evolutionary sociology general topic scientific success form might take sociology recent resurgence evolutionary thinking across social_science potentially positive implication sociology social_change evaluate evolutionary turn relation sociology focus hull evolutionary analysis scientific change success claim social mechanism lie heart selection process occur science good individual good science whole argue descent matter analyze process conceptual similarity hull believe evolutionary account make_sense success_failure though doubt sociology consider science contention apply evolutionary analysis evolutionary sociology claim test modified also insights sociology_knowledge generate achieve examine large range text commentary evolutionary_theory sociology recent present theory evolution