The Human Sciences in a Biological Age

The idea that our understanding of life should be informed by contemporary scientific knowledge about life.

The specific conditions and assumptions that make scientific knowledge about life, and its impact on our reality, possible.

The process of examining the constraints and possibilities created by scientific knowledge about life.

The inherent value assigned to living things, often in a commercial context.

The potential of life science to alter how we perceive and engage with ourselves and our world.

The critical evaluation of life science, considering its potential for both positive and negative consequences.

The use of life science for improving human health and well-being.

The use of life science to manipulate and modify living organisms for various purposes.

The idea that any biological component can be taken out of its original context and re-used or combined with other components to create new functions, like Lego.

The limitations of synthetic biology in fully understanding and controlling biological systems due to their complex and often unknown parts.

A human body contains trillions of cells, each as complex as a single-celled organism, making it much more complex than a Boeing 747.

Field work in philosophy involves directly studying the practices and assumptions of scientists to understand their operating philosophy.

The operative philosophy of biologists is likely to be more cautious and open to conceptual discussions than the exaggerated claims often seen in popular science.

The idea that biological systems are not purely mechanical (like machines) but are also influenced by complex interactions and emergent properties.

The practice of conducting empirical investigations to understand the assumptions and practices of scientists in their field of study.

The importance of engaging with the actual work and perspectives of scientists rather than relying on their idealized presentations.

Social Sciences should not be reduced to providing 'factors' and 'variables' for biological research, as if human beings are isolated organisms with limited interactions with their environment.

Dobzhansky argues that human society and culture are products of biological evolution, but also influence human evolution profoundly.

Human attributes, including both physical and social traits, are influenced by both biological evolution and social factors.

Traits like bipedalism and the human brain developed under selection pressures from emerging human ways of life.

Cultural factors significantly shape human attributes, resulting in variations across cultures and time periods.

Empirical research confirms how culturally diverse practices influence bodily movement, emotional expression, and self-identity.

This approach recognizes that human beings are deeply embedded in their social world and cannot be isolated from its constant influence.

By considering the role of social factors, we gain a deeper understanding of human biology and evolution.

The idea that our understanding of human behavior and society should acknowledge and integrate insights from the life sciences, while also critically evaluating and resisting reductionist or deterministic interpretations.

The fear that incorporating biological perspectives into social and human sciences will lead to a reductionist view of humans as solely determined by their genes or biology.

Treating social and human phenomena solely in terms of biological principles, neglecting the influence of culture, society, and individual experience.

Critical analysis and evaluation of claims and findings in life sciences, recognizing their limitations and potential biases.

Moving beyond simply describing or commenting on the implications of biology towards actively engaging with and shaping the development of biological understanding.

The recognition that social and human sciences are not separate from the study of living organisms, but rather are intertwined with it.

The search for new biological perspectives that recognize the complexity of humans and their interactions with their environments.

A collaborative and open dialogue between social and human sciences and life sciences, characterized by mutual respect and acknowledgement of shared goals.

A theory in which the human being is understood as a product of the historical and social circumstances they inhabit (e.g. scientific discourses and power structures). Individuals are thus seen as not existing independently of the contexts that have shaped them.

An idea that emphasizes the importance of social structures and institutions in shaping individual behaviors. It suggests that human behavior is influenced by the social norms, rules, and expectations of the societies they live in.

The idea that the human body is a site of power relations and social control. This means that our bodies are not just biological entities, but are also shaped by social, cultural, and political forces.

A critique of the idea of a fixed and stable human nature. It suggests that our understanding of the human being - and their nature - is constantly evolving.

The concept that our knowledge is not objective and neutral, but is shaped by our social positions, experiences, and perspectives. It highlights the importance of acknowledging diverse viewpoints and perspectives when engaging with knowledge.

The idea that human behavior is often guided by simple, efficient rules of thumb, known as heuristics. These heuristics are often learned through experience and are not always consciously applied.

The idea that the boundaries between humans and other species are becoming increasingly blurred due to technological advancements and other factors. This raises questions about what it means to be human in a world of interconnectedness.

The study of the collection of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The microbiome plays a crucial role in our health and well-being.