bioessentialism means the philosophy that biology plays a larger role in determining human psychology or development than social, economic, or environmental factors. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 84 out of 100.
Why “bioessentialism” is a great word
BIOESSENTIALISM — [Noun] The philosophical stance that biology is the primary determinant of human psychology, development, or social roles, often minimizing the influence of social, economic, or environmental factors. From the combining form bio- (from Greek bios, meaning 'life') + essentialism (the doctrine that things have a set of characteristics that make them what they are). Unlike social constructionism, which posits our categories are forged by cultural agreement, or biological determinism, which asserts a rigid, direct control by genes, bioessentialism is the subtler conviction that an innate biological essence maps our destinies. It is the quiet certainty that a mother's patience is hormonal, a leader's aggression is chromosomal, and a child's aptitude is foretold in their chromosomes—a fatalistic cartography that mistakes a single, powerful river for the entire landscape.
noun
- The philosophy that biology plays a larger role in determining human psychology or development than social, economic, or environmental factors.“Here the ghetto-centric individualism of the poor appears to have defeated the convenient bioessentialism of the elite.”