Dictionary

biological determinism en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The hypothesis that biological factors such as an organism's genes (as opposed to social or environmental factors) determine the majority of psychological and behavioural traits.
   • Some of the definitions of feminism floating around the peace movement these days sound like little more than a call to validate Victorian cultural femininity. 'Women are peacemakers, men are warriors. […] Feminism is about love and nurturance. As mothers we know about that.' This is biological determinism. 1982 April 15, Donna Warnock, “Feminism and Militarism: Can the Peace Movement Reach Out?”, in Win:
2. (uncountable) The interpretation of humans and human life from a strictly biological point of view.
   • Roe V. Wade: a flawed, but revolutionary pronouncement, the first real break in the prison of biological determinism that has kept women in their place. 1983 February 5, Rhonda Copelon, quotee, “Roe v. Wade: The Challenge of the Next Decade”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 28, page 5:

Relateds

lookism · genetic determinism · biologism