Darwinist heavyweight Alcock (Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach) understands what's at stake in evolution as well as any scientist living. In this dispassionate appeal to scientific method, he champions the idea introduced by E.O. Wilson in his classic and controversial book, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis: that human nature is the product of natural selection. Since its publication in 1975, Sociobiology
has been denounced by many feminist and socialist thinkers as a justification for human evil, and all but marginalized by fellow scientists equally leery of its political implications. Alcock reclaims sociobiology from detractors who, he claims, persist in setting humankind above the natural order. The author argues against the competing blank-slate "culture is all" theory, and he dispels the misconception that sociobiology is in any way an ideological endorsement of racism, sexism or the social dominance of the rich over the poor. Indeed, Alcock points out, current research focuses more on the behavioral evolution of animals and social insects than it does on humans. The caution exercised by critics may not be entirely unjustified, however. Alcock's case studies on female beauty and genocide may, in the eyes of some, lend credence to the charge by popular writer Stephen Jay Gould that sociobiologists tell "just-so stories." But, as Alcock also argues, if sociobiology is to be dismissed out of hand, let it be through hypothesis and experiment, not hysteria and censorship. This is an important and necessary reappraisal of humankind's place in the Darwinist puzzle—one that will undoubtedly provoke renewed debate. Illus. (June)
Forecast:Alcock's reputation and the review attention his earlier books have received bode well for the reception of this one by both the scientific community and reviewers. If it generates as much attention as expected, this book will provoke long-term discussion in academic circles.
