Philosophy 152 Philosophy of Human Nature Darwall Fall 1996 WILSON I Reading: Loptson, pp. 138-162 (for this time); Abel, pp. 381-402. I Next time we will begin our discussion of the views of E. O. Wilson, one of the founders and leading exponents of sociobiology. As it name suggests, sociobiology seeks explanation for various kinds of social phenomena in biological and evolutionary theory. We should begin, however, with some of the basics of evolution. One thing to bear in mind, as Loptson points out, is that there is no evidence of any evolutionary change in the species in at least the last 35,000 years. II Darwin and the theory of natural selection. III Function, purpose, and design from mechanism? The "selfish gene." IV Some elementary fallacies: A. If evolution is true, every organism, including human beings, is motivated by self-preservation. B. If evolution is true, then society also should be governed by the "survival of the fittest." (Social Darwinism) C. An evolutionary explanation of a trait is an ethical justification of the trait. V To focus in on this last, and to connect up themes from De Beauvoir, suppose it is true that aggressiveness, or certain forms of it, were naturally selected for in males to a higher degree than in females. What would this show about whether this is a trait that males should have?