ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part deals with several more broadly conceived arguments, problems, and questions relating to a biological emphasis in the social sciences. It aims to demonstrate the character of a dialogue that could emerge if biosocial science were viewed as challenging certain preconceived ideological positions. After discussing the basic conceptual assumptions of modern ethology, the part examines some of the general methodological problems encountered in animal studies. It demonstrates that “human sociobiology so vulgarizes natural selection and the theory of adaptation that it does not have a claim to be a serious form of scientific investigation.” The part discusses methodological issues as observer effect, measurement, recording, sampling, reliability, and species identification. It concludes that “ethology may prove most fruitful as a means of sensitizing us to man as a biological as well as a social animal.”
