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There's definitely an issue with people claiming their own pet theory is supported by "evolutionary psychology" when it's not even supported by data. But it's t
by dTal 10y ago
There's definitely an issue with people claiming their own pet theory is supported by "evolutionary psychology" when it's not even supported by data. But it's the framework we currently have, so that's to be expected. When people thought God invented everything, people fit their theories into that too.
And what's the alternative? Evolution has no effect on psychology? Our perfect mind came from divine inspiration?
Evolutionary psychology is threatening as a concept to many liberal ideals we've worked hard for. Men and women are equal. People are rational and can be trusted to make their own decisions, or vote intelligently. Liberalism can be boiled down to a kind of "faith in humanity", and like the earlier faith, thou shalt not question it, especially with science.
But like before, it's better in the long run if we face the uncomfortable truths, whatever they be.
edit: everything I'm trying to say here has been better said in The Blank Slate.
- sedachv 10y ago> And what's the alternative? The alternative is the same as for every theory: do not assume your hypothesis is correct until you have empirical evidence, and do not assign your moral values to theories. Obviously the idea of evolutionary psychology follows from evolution. Neither evolutionary psychology nor social Darwinism are wrong - they are just names for a particular class of consequences of evolution and natural selection. They are falsifiable because the theory of evolution is falsifiable. As far as we have evidence, evolution is true, so saying that evolution has consequences is true. What those consequences are is not for you to decide based on your prejudices. Saying things like "your DNA says you have to work" and poor people deserve to die out "because evolution, duh" is wrong.