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In Praise of Evolutionary Psychology
by Celik Kayalar
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'The Naturalist' by the scientist Edward O. Wilson, who helped develop Evolutionary Psychology in the '70s. image: E.O. Wilson estateWHY DO VERY FEW PEOPLE UNDER-
stand social developments? Because they don’t have the right scientific paradigm (basis, method) for it. For example: If you think the underlying cause or driving force in sociology is the “class struggle” only (like Karl Marx did), you will miss what’s been going on.
Another example: if you think every current conflict in America stems exclusively from racism or “white privilege,” you will overlook other causes and inevitably miss out on some possible remedies.
A useful analogy from the hard sciences:
Can one understand modern biology, especially Molecular Biology: that is how DNA, RNA, proteins (enzymes) work; how living cells function; how the immune system works, with the new mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and on and on… unless one knows and understands Organic Chemistry?
No, one cannot.
Organic Chemistry is, of course, a more complex form of basic chemistry: atoms, chemical bonds, molecules, and reactions between them. Without knowing and accepting the atomic basis for matter, the whole cellular life-processes will be a total mystery. Any speculation about them will be wrong. For instance, no practical results in medicine, such as vaccines (mRNA-based or otherwise) will be possible.
Isaac Newton was the greatest physicist of his time (1642-1726), but he couldn’t make any progress in chemistry. Not that he didn’t dabble in it as an “alchemist”. He failed because he didn’t know nor could he come up with the atomic basis of matter: The essence of chemistry.
A painting by this article's author Celik Kayalar symbolizing the importance of science. illo: C. KayalarAristotle (384-322 BC) was even worse in “chemistry” of course, with his simple, naive and inevitably wrong notions of what matter consisted of: fire, air, water, earth.
This is not surprising: scientific knowledge takes time to develop and advances incrementally, as it builds on prior scientific knowledge (as opposed to “revealed” knowledge).
It took Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) and John Dalton (1766-1844) and their meticulous laboratory research to start establishing the correct atomic-basis of chemistry, in the 18th Century.
So, what is the correct scientific basis of paradigm for sociology and the ongoing social developments in human history?
In my opinion, it is Evolutionary Psychology.
Another painting by Celik Kayalar ttitled 'Ascent', is a 'Layerist Painting' done on 4 layers of canvas. and depicting the evolution of species from from frog to human. iillo: C. KayalarIt was originally called Sociobiology by the great Edward O. Wilson (around 1975). The term was quickly dropped by him and others, cause it was deemed to be rather inflammatory and “politically incorrect”. More on that at a later essay.
Without a clear appreciation of Evolutionary Psychology and its principles, most sociologists and like (political scientists, political philosophers, social economists, pundits, politicians…) will be at a loss, whether they realize it or not. They will capture an aspect of social reality, here and there, but never the complete picture.
The complete picture is difficult to capture anyway, but without the paradigm of Evolutionary Psychology, it is impossible to really understand and make true advances in Sociology. It will be akin to an Alchemist tying to explain how the Living-Cells actually work.
I will elaborate on this in a future essay, and thank you for your time and attention.
Celik Kayalar is a PhD. bioscientist as well as filmmaker, painter and educator, who runs Film Acting Bay Area in Berkeley, California. You can learn more about him here or reach him .
Posted on Sep 27, 2021 - 06:19 PM
by Celik Kayalar
Please support our stories by liking articles—thanks!
'The Naturalist' by the scientist Edward O. Wilson, who helped develop Evolutionary Psychology in the '70s. image: E.O. Wilson estatestand social developments? Because they don’t have the right scientific paradigm (basis, method) for it. For example: If you think the underlying cause or driving force in sociology is the “class struggle” only (like Karl Marx did), you will miss what’s been going on.
Another example: if you think every current conflict in America stems exclusively from racism or “white privilege,” you will overlook other causes and inevitably miss out on some possible remedies.
A useful analogy from the hard sciences:
Can one understand modern biology, especially Molecular Biology: that is how DNA, RNA, proteins (enzymes) work; how living cells function; how the immune system works, with the new mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and on and on… unless one knows and understands Organic Chemistry?
No, one cannot.
Organic Chemistry is, of course, a more complex form of basic chemistry: atoms, chemical bonds, molecules, and reactions between them. Without knowing and accepting the atomic basis for matter, the whole cellular life-processes will be a total mystery. Any speculation about them will be wrong. For instance, no practical results in medicine, such as vaccines (mRNA-based or otherwise) will be possible.
Isaac Newton was the greatest physicist of his time (1642-1726), but he couldn’t make any progress in chemistry. Not that he didn’t dabble in it as an “alchemist”. He failed because he didn’t know nor could he come up with the atomic basis of matter: The essence of chemistry.
A painting by this article's author Celik Kayalar symbolizing the importance of science. illo: C. KayalarThis is not surprising: scientific knowledge takes time to develop and advances incrementally, as it builds on prior scientific knowledge (as opposed to “revealed” knowledge).
It took Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) and John Dalton (1766-1844) and their meticulous laboratory research to start establishing the correct atomic-basis of chemistry, in the 18th Century.
So, what is the correct scientific basis of paradigm for sociology and the ongoing social developments in human history?
In my opinion, it is Evolutionary Psychology.
Another painting by Celik Kayalar ttitled 'Ascent', is a 'Layerist Painting' done on 4 layers of canvas. and depicting the evolution of species from from frog to human. iillo: C. KayalarWithout a clear appreciation of Evolutionary Psychology and its principles, most sociologists and like (political scientists, political philosophers, social economists, pundits, politicians…) will be at a loss, whether they realize it or not. They will capture an aspect of social reality, here and there, but never the complete picture.
The complete picture is difficult to capture anyway, but without the paradigm of Evolutionary Psychology, it is impossible to really understand and make true advances in Sociology. It will be akin to an Alchemist tying to explain how the Living-Cells actually work.
I will elaborate on this in a future essay, and thank you for your time and attention.
Celik Kayalar is a PhD. bioscientist as well as filmmaker, painter and educator, who runs Film Acting Bay Area in Berkeley, California. You can learn more about him here or reach him .
Posted on Sep 27, 2021 - 06:19 PM
