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Exploring the folkbiological conception of human nature
Stefan Linquist1, Edouard Machery, Paul E Griffiths
1Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, 348 MacKinnon Building, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1. linquist@uoguelph.ca
Summary
Biologically naive individuals often misunderstand genetic concepts, viewing traits as either innate or environmental. This folkbiology hinders understanding of species-typical traits versus individual variation in human evolutionary sciences.
Area of Science:
- Human evolutionary sciences
- Cognitive science
- Folkbiology
Background:
- Integrating human diversity into evolutionary sciences requires revising traditional views of human nature.
- Entrenched folkbiological thinking complicates this integration.
- Prior research indicates naive subjects distinguish between 'inner nature' and environmental influences on traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend and refine the understanding of folkbiology in biologically naive subjects.
- To examine naive judgments about whether traits are 'innate', 'in its DNA', or 'part of its nature'.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of naive subjects' judgments on trait attribution.
- Comparison of subject understanding of 'innate', 'in its DNA', and 'part of its nature'.
Main Results:
- Subjects do not perceive 'innate', 'in its DNA', and 'part of its nature' as equivalent.
- 'Innate' and 'in its DNA' imply species-typicality to naive subjects.
- This perception creates an obstacle for understanding polymorphic and plastic traits.
Conclusions:
- Folkbiological concepts of 'innate' and 'in its DNA' impede the understanding of trait variation.
- Even researchers may be influenced by folkbiological thinking.
- Revising conceptions of human nature requires addressing these cognitive biases.
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