Final Lecture - Publish Web Server最后的演讲-发布Web服务器.pptVIP

Final Lecture Theories of Postmodern Society: Sociobiology Structuralism and Poststructuralism Structuration Theory The McDonaldization of Society The Postmodern Condition A Few Words About Sociobiology Definition: the study of the biological bases of human behaviour, by virtue of our biological nature and our evolutionary history, is common to all societies A “grand theory” of human society as being based on universal biological and evolutionary tendencies Sociobiologists explain social organization in terms of biology rather than culture Like functionalism, may promote inequality and maintenance of status quo Intellectual Roots of Sociobiology Biological and zoological sciences Darwinian principles of natural selection and “survival of the fittest” Very popular theory in 1970’s-1990’s Has evolved into current evolutionary psychology (i.e. P. Rushton, D. Kimura) Even Talcott Parsons’ later work was moving into this area. E.O. Wilson a zoologist who applied findings from insect and animal studies to humans “Sociobiology: the New Synthesis” (1975) Human race a product of evolution Information passed on genetically Our genes interact with our environment and this forms the basis for social behaviour, social structure, and society Natural selection and evolution – the most adaptive genes are passed on Robin Fox and Philippe Rushton Ronin Fox says cultural differences across societies are “symbolic disguises” Underneath, all human cultures basically the same (i.e. social status, incest taboos) Difference between human and animal is that we have a “gene” for culture Culture adaptive for humans “selfish gene” - to compete for resources, to reproduce – is passed on But altruism? – Rushton says develops out of “group need for mutual defense” Postmodernism Postmodern theorizing has tendency toward relativism and anti-rationalism Some postmodern thought anti-sociological (originated with Neitzsche’s ideas) postmodernism rejects idea of scientific explanation of society and