ALCOCK, JOHN

The Triumph of Sociobiology

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. 0195143833. 1st Edition. First Printing. Hardcover. ISBN: 0195143833. Quarter bound in publisher's brown cloth over lime green boards, gilt lettering on spine. Illustrated with B&W photographs and drawings. In The Triumph of Sociobiology, John Alcock reviews the controversy that has surrounded evolutionary studies of human social behavior following the 1975 publication of E.O. Wilson's classic, Sociobiology, The New Synthesis. Denounced vehemently as an "ideology" that has justified social evils and inequalities, sociobiology has survived the assault. Twenty-five years after the field was named by Wilson, the approach he championed has successfullydemonstrated its value in the study of animal behavior, including the behavior of our own species. Yet, misconceptions remain--to our disadvantage. In this straight-forward, objective approachto the sociobiology debate, noted animal behaviorist John Alcock illuminates how sociobiologists study behavior in all species. He confronts the chief scientific and ideological objections head on, with a compelling analysis of case histories that involve such topics as sexual jealousy, beauty, gender difference, parent-offspring relations, and rape. In so doing, he shows that sociobiology provides the most satisfactory scientific analysis of social behavior availabletoday. Alcock challenges the notion that sociobiology depends on genetic determinism while showing the shortcoming of competing approaches that rely on cultural or environmental determinism. He alsopresents the practical applications of sociobiology and the progress sociobiological research has made in the search for a more complete understanding of human activities. His reminder that "natural" behavior is not "moral" behavior should quiet opponents fearing misapplication of evolutionary theory to our species. The key misconceptions about this evolutionary field are dissected one by one as the author shows why sociobiologists have had so much success in explaining the puzzling andfascinating social behavior of nonhuman animals and humans alike. Animal behaviorist John Alcock illuminates how sociobiologists study behavior in all species. He confronts the chief scientific and ideological objections head on, with an analysis of case histories that involve such topics as sexual jealousy, beauty, gender difference, parent-offspring relations, and rape.. Both the volume and the unclipped dust jacket are in perfect, pristine condition; unread, unmarked, tight, square, and clean. FINE/FINE.. Photographs and Drawings. 8vo 8" - 9" tall. 272 pp. Fine in Fine dust jacket .

Round Table Books, LLCProfessional seller

Book number: 30007

Catalogue: Sociobiology

Keywords: 0195143833 Sociobiology Sociology Biology John Alcock Philosophy & Social Sciences Science, Medicine & Technology