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The evolution of human nature and its implications for politics: a critique

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  • Thomas Reydon

Abstract

This paper examines the tradition of attempts to support particular political or social views by referring to biological knowledge about human nature. It is argued that such arguments involve two steps, an argument from biological knowledge to general claims about human nature, and a normative argument from such general claims to the desirability of a particular social order. The concept of human nature serves as a bridge concept connecting these argumentative steps. Furthermore it is argued that both argumentative steps face serious problems, as the first argument stands on a weak biological basis and the second argument is unable to arbitrate between competing political or social positions. By examining four examples of arguments that attempt to connect biological knowledge to political/social views (by Peter Kropotkin, Peter Singer, Richard Alexander and Larry Arnhart) it is shown what such arguments can achieve, and what not. It is concluded that the proper role of arguments from biology to society is to serve as compatibility checks on our political, economic, and societal views, but not to provide actual support for some political/social views over competing ones. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Reydon, 2015. "The evolution of human nature and its implications for politics: a critique," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 17-36, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:17:y:2015:i:1:p:17-36
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-014-9187-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gillian Brown & Peter Richerson, 2014. "Applying evolutionary theory to human behaviour: past differences and current debates," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 105-128, July.
    2. G. Liberopoulos & B. Tan & S.B. Gershwin & C.T. Papadopoulos & J. MacGregor Smith, 2004. "Preface," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 125(1), pages 17-19, January.
    3. G. Liberopoulos & B. Tan & S.B. Gershwin & C.T. Papadopoulos & J. MacGregor Smith, 2004. "Preface," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 126(1), pages 17-19, February.
    4. Kropotkin, Petr, 1902. "Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number kropotkin1902.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Argument to human nature; Argument from human nature ; Bridge concepts; Darwinian Liberalism; Evolutionary politics; Human nature; A12; B25; B52;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • B25 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Austrian; Stockholm School
    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;

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