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jrlewis's picture

Biological Perspective of Diversity

I have heard the argument that there is no biological evidence for human oppression. However, this was the first time I have read an account advocating diversity as an essential element for the perpetuation of the human species. This claim comes from the Theory of the Evolution.

I am curious about who was the audience intended for this article. Students? Educators? General Public? Might this paper be appropriate for use in a biology course? It is extremely relevant to discussions of biological diversity, ecology, and others. However, the claims the author makes, and the issues it addresses are more suitably discussed in a social science course. Or perhaps the field of psychology might to address the issue "how humans learn to perceive and evaluate threats as individuals and as groups". This paper collapses the issue of demarcation between the physical and social sciences. Should the physical sciences be used to address social issues? It raises a question about the role of science in society. Do the properties of the Theory of Evolution entail a philosophy of science?

Evolution is a well developed theory that summarizes a broad range of observations. Evolution is pertinent to physical sciences such as biology and social sciences such as anthropology. Is the theory of evolution a scientific theory? According to Karl Popper it is metaphysics, not a scientific. Thomas Kuhn would consider it a paradigm or a component of a paradigm in science. Does the theory of evolution have implications for fields other than science?

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