“Genetic determinism… On its interpretation depends the entire relation between biology and the social sciences.”

On Human Nature (1978), Ch.3 Development

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Edward O. Wilson 83
American biologist 1929

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Context: … All other languages can be translated into the thing-language, but the thing-language cannot be translated into any other language. Its terms can only be reduced to what are called "ostensive" definitions. These consist merely of pointing or otherwise evoking a direct experience. Hence, the thing-language is absolutely basic. Out of this basic language, we build up the other languages of the sciences, beginning with the language of physics, and proceeding to biology, psychology, and the social sciences.

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