Biologism is a concept in social theory which suggests that behavior and social structures are based on biological and evolutionary processes. This concept has been used to explain the emergence of behavior and social systems, and has been used to critique the idea that humans have free will and are solely responsible for their own social behavior. Biologism has been used to explain a wide variety of phenomena, such as war, racism, and gender roles.
Biologism has its roots in the work of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. Darwin’s theory argued that biological evolution occurs through the process of natural selection, which means that those individuals with attributes that are most beneficial to their survival are more likely to reproduce and pass on those favorable traits to their offspring. This idea of biological determinism has been used to explain the emergence of behavior and social systems.
Proponents of biologism argue that behavior and social structures are largely determined by genetic and physiological factors. This includes the notion that certain behaviors, such as aggression, are “hard-wired” into the human brain and are largely unaffected by environmental influences. Additionally, biologism proposes that behavioral traits, such as intelligence, are largely predetermined by an individual’s genetic makeup.
Critics of biologism have argued that it is an overly simplistic view of human behavior and social structures. They point out that there is a complex interplay between environmental and biological factors that influence human behavior. Additionally, they argue that biologism ignores the role of culture and social learning in shaping behavior.
Despite its critics, biologism has been used to explain a wide variety of phenomena. For example, it has been used to explain the emergence of gender roles, arguing that males and females are biologically predisposed to certain behaviors. It has also been used to explain the origins of racism, suggesting that humans have a natural tendency to form in-groups and out-groups based on perceived biological similarities and differences.
Overall, biologism is a concept in social theory which suggests that behavior and social structures are based on biological and evolutionary processes. While it is not without its critics, it has been used to explain a wide variety of phenomena, such as war, racism, and gender roles.
References
Darwin, C. (1859). On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. London: John Murray.
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Griswold, A. (2015). What is Biologism? In B. Turner (Ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology (pp. 58-60). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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