THE ERRORS OF SOCIOBIOLOGY
There is a common mistake in sociobiology about how we understand human values. Dr. G. E. Pugh's work claims that there are only two types of values: 'primary' values, which come from our genes, and 'secondary' values, which come from rational thinking. This idea misses other important human values. Cultural evolution, which is the development of societies and their rules, has existed longer than biological evolution and greatly affects how we behave. Some biologists only look at genetic factors and ignore how quickly culture can change and influence our lives. The way our society is organized has mostly come about through competition between different institutions, not because we planned it. Culture is a mix of learned traditions and customs, and it works without people fully understanding it. This challenges the idea that only natural or chosen rules are important, showing that civilization has grown by managing our natural instincts through established customs.
There is a common mistake in sociobiology about how we understand human values. Dr. G. E. Pugh's work claims that there are only two types of values: 'primary' values, which come from our genes, and 'secondary' values, which come from rational thinking. This idea misses other important human values. Cultural evolution, which is the development of societies and their rules, has existed longer than biological evolution and greatly affects how we behave. Some biologists only look at genetic factors and ignore how quickly culture can change and influence our lives. The way our society is organized has mostly come about through competition between different institutions, not because we planned it. Culture is a mix of learned traditions and customs, and it works without people fully understanding it. This challenges the idea that only natural or chosen rules are important, showing that civilization has grown by managing our natural instincts through established customs.