Determinism, Biological

Abstract

Though the vast majority of anthropologists and biologists reject biological determinism today, the biologically deterministic ideologies continue to influence the way many general publics think about such issues as race and behavior, gender, and sexuality, and also influences some biomedical thinking and practice. This entry explores the themes of race and behavior and of race and biomedical thinking and practice as they relate to biological determinism. It also looks at anthropological research to understand the interplay between, on the one hand, the fact that certain groups believe in biological determinism and others do not and, on the other hand, the impact that biological determinism has had in the past and continues to have on subordinated groups' lives today. The entry suggests, for example, that to eliminate those disparities in health and in other areas—such as education, the social justice system, and wealth accumulation—anthropological researchers will need to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between biology and culture.