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biological determinism

American  
[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl di-tur-muh-niz-uhm] / ˈbaɪ ə lɒdʒ ɪ kəl dɪˈtɜr mə nɪz əm /

noun

  1. Sociology. the doctrine that considers genes or other inborn physical features to be the determining factor in the development of an individual or group.


Etymology

Origin of biological determinism

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, honest acknowledgement of the presence of biological determinism and conspiratorial thinking in youth communities might help counter it.

From Slate • May 19, 2022

While using the term DNA in metaphorical ways is mostly harmless, there are some situations where it can actually be harmful — especially when it veers into biological determinism.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2021

This is where Kosinski’s work strays into biological determinism.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2018

As English professor Valerie Rohy explains in her book “Lost Causes,” biological determinism emerged in part as an answer to homophobic ideas about gay men and women falling prey to seductive cultural and communal forces.

From Washington Post • Jun. 27, 2018

In Defense of Wishful Thinking In my most recent post and others—and in chats with George Johnson and Robert Wright on Bloggingheads.tv—I rail against biological determinism and defend free will.

From Scientific American • Jul. 5, 2011

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