Evolutionism and Common Sense. Notes on the History of Biology

Abstract

Unable to find clear operational criteria for defining man, I have formerly chosen to characterise it thus: man is the only primate who guides his behaviour by prejudice. Now, one of the areas of human knowledge, science, proposes to reflect critically on its own validity according to demonstrable objectifying criteria, often quantifiable as well as open to refutation. Even the fabric of science, however, seeps prejudice, and temporary constructions (models and theories) that guide scientific research are open, in certain sensitive points, to manipulation and distortion aimed at another critical device – the common sense.