SOCIOLOGY AND MODERN EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
SOCIOLOGY AND MODERN EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

Summary/Abstract: The current attitude of sociology to evolutionary theory is biophobic. It was not always so in the history of sociology. The founders of sociology were inspired by the theory of evolution in biology. The best known example is probably Herbert Spencer. We think that in contrast to the understanding of evolution in the past, it is chiefly the molecular-genetic dimension of modern theory of evolution that disturbs contemporary researchers, who regard it as an unacceptable form of reductionism leading to dangerous socio-political consequences. However, in our opinion, it is detrimental to the social sciences, and sociology in particular, that these researchers are not able to accept new inspirations from sociobiology and evolutionary psychology, as represented today by modern evolutionary theory applied in the area of social behaviour. We use Trivers theory of reciprocal altruism between genetically unrelated individuals as an example of an inspirational source that leads to a more universal understanding of human cooperative behaviour than exists today within the framework of social sciences.

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