Biological Fact and the Structure of Society. The Herbert Spencer Lecture Delivered at the Examination Schools on Wednesday, February 28, 1912

In 'Biological Fact and the Structure of Society,' William Bateson delivers a compelling argument concerning the interplay between biological understanding and societal organization. Originally presented as the Herbert Spencer Lecture in 1912, this discourse delves into the implications of biological realities for social theory. Bateson, a pioneering geneticist, explores the extent to which biological principles should inform our understanding and structuring of human society.Bateson challenges simplistic applications of biological analogies to social phenomena, urging a nuanced approach that acknowledges both the potential insights and inherent limitations of such comparisons. This lecture serves as a valuable historical snapshot of early 20th-century thought on biology, society, and the complex relationship between scientific knowledge and social policy. Readers interested in the history of science, sociology, and the intellectual debates surrounding eugenics will find this lecture particularly insightful.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.