Social Practices as Biological Niche Construction

Joseph Rouse's book Social Practices and Biological Niche Construction integrates human sociality with our biological conception of human beings as animals, arguing that familiar conceptual separations of natural, social, and mental "worlds" are entrenched in contemporary intellectual life. It explores the constitutive interdependence of human ways of life with other organisms and provides new insights on central issues in social theory, such as the body, language, normativity, and power.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In his groundbreaking book, Joseph Rouse takes his innovative work to a new level by articulating an integrated philosophy of society as an integral part of nature. He delves into the compelling argument that our biological conception of human beings as animals should be seamlessly merged with our sociocultural and psychological conceptions of human beings as persons and acculturated agents. Rouse's philosophy engages with a wide range of biological understandings of human bodies and their environments, as well as the diverse practices and institutions through which people live and interact with one another. He challenges the familiar conceptual separations between natural, social, and mental "worlds," arguing that they emerged for principled reasons that have become deeply entrenched in contemporary intellectual life. While the reasons behind these divisions are gradually eroding due to advancements across various disciplines, Rouse contends that they have not yet yielded fully integrated conceptual alternatives.

Social Practices and Biological Niche Construction offers a profound exploration of the characteristic plasticity, plurality, and critical contestation of human ways of life. It demonstrates how these ways of life can be best understood as evolved and evolving relations among human organisms and their distinctive biological environments. The book also highlights the constitutive interdependence of these ways of life with many other organisms, ranging from microbial populations to certain plants and animals. By delving into this in-depth analysis, Rouse provides valuable insights on central issues in social theory, such as the body, language, normativity, and power.

Through his comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, Joseph Rouse challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of society and nature. He offers a fresh perspective that bridges the gap between biological and sociocultural understandings, paving the way for a more integrated and holistic understanding of human existence. This book is a must-read for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the complex interplay between human sociality and the natural world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226827957