Science and sociobiology

James H. Fetzer

pp. 217-246

in: James H. Fetzer (ed), Sociobiology and epistemology, Berlin, Springer, 1985

Abstract

This paper focuses upon the logical structure, the theoretical vocabulary, and the empirical testability of sociobiology. It begins with an informal description of its fundamental theses, together with consideration of its controversial character. These theses are given a semi-formal formulation, and sociobiology, thus summarized, is examined from the perspective of various accounts of scientific theories. Adopting (an intensional version of) a conception first advanced by Campbell sixty years ago, a formalization is provided to illustrate the logical structure of sociobiological laws. The extent to which sociobiology properly qualifies as 'scientific" is finally assessed.