To the editors:
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Kateri Butler and Gloria Ohland argue that “biological determinist theories” like sociobiology (and, by inference, the older ethology and the newer innatology) rise “as a response to feminist scholarship and the women’s movement.” All this, of course, to “defend the status quo” from feminist scholars who, no doubt, would have otherwise overthrown the government by now! They even go so far as to link modern practitioners of the natural sciences with 19th century ideologies that used pseudoscientific “explanations” to justify the exploitation of blacks and women. (Why stop there? Why not just come right out and bring up Nazi scientists who attempted to create a “racially pure” master race?)
For those not frightened of the truth, numerous aspects of human nature are now proven facts rather than theory. Almost 30 years ago, a psychology professor at Yale named Stanley Milgram proved, much to his own amazement and horror, that we have an innate propensity to obey authority. For those interested, his experiments can be seen in his book, Obedience to Authority, available in any library.
Tyrone Walls
