Sociobiology
To the Editor:
. . . As an aspiring sociobiologist who rejects all forms of psychological determinism (whether of the environmental, genetic, or economic variety), I found Charles Frankel’s article, “Sociobiology & Its Critics” [July], positively inspiring. . . . Mr. Frankel’s firm rejection of Edward O. Wilson’s arrogation of philosophy, ethics, and epistemology to his own purposes, was particularly deserving of attention. . . . While sociobiology can offer no panacea for social ills, it could provide frameworks for a wide variety of non-authoritarian social experiments. Perhaps Mr. Frankel’s insightful analysis will help to reform a discipline which may some day ameliorate the social milieu which led to his tragic murder.
Howard R. Olson, Jr.
Concord, California
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To the Editor:
The late Charles Frankel thought he was quoting a French witticism: “L’éléphant est un animal féroce; quand on I’attaque, il se défend.” In fact, he was paraphrasing a doggerel original: “Cet animal est très méchant; / Quand on I’attaque, il se défend.” In English this might be: “This animal is bad indeed,/Defending itself in case of need.”
Asinus Portans Llbros
New York City
