Abstract
The supposed properties of 'genes' have led natural scientists to claim authority to explain the reasons of human action, behavior, and even human nature, which has traditionally been the object of study of the humanities. The aim of this paper is to discuss the possibilities of sociological theory dealing with the biological reductionism that establishes the strict articulation between 'human nature' and 'human action', presented in several speeches and papers by scientists and journalists and supported by features of 'genes'. I intend to argue that sociological theories may broaden their scope of analysis by encompassing biological dimensions, which does not necessarily mean adopting a biological reductionist approach.
Highlights
The supposed properties of ‘genes’ have led natural scientists to claim authority to explain the reasons of human action, behavior, and even human nature, which has traditionally been the object of study of the humanities
An overview of the origins of sociology will be presented in order to indicate how questions of human nature have greatly influenced the debate on human action in an implicit or explicit way
The contemporary debate on ‘human nature’ oriented by the advance of biotechnology and genomics will be reviewed in order to assess the consequences of this debate on the sociological problem of human action
Summary
Professora do Departamento de Sociologia Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas. Human action in a Genomic Era: debates on human nature. Ciências, Saúde – Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, v.16, n.1, jan.-mar. Ciências, Saúde – Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, v.16, n.1, jan.-mar. 2009, p.157-170
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