Towards a sociology of global morals with an ‘emancipatory intent’

ABSTRACTFirst generation Frankfurt School critical theorists argued that global solidarity was possible because human beings have similar vulnerabilities to mental and physical suffering. This approach to solidarity remains significant for any discussion of the ethical aspirations of critical theory. It also has ramifications for efforts to develop a sociological approach to global moral codes which is influenced by the idea of an emancipatory social theory. Informed by certain themes which were developed by Simone Weil, this article draws on the writings of Fromm, Horkheimer, Adorno and Elias to consider how a sociology of international moral codes can be developed. One of the aims of this project is to consider how far global moralities have developed forms of solidarity around the recognition of shared vulnerabilities to mental and physical suffering which are part of the species’ biological legacy.

Fire-related landform associations of remnant old-growth trees in the southern Washington Cascade Range

The spatial distribution of biological legacies left by natural disturbances is an important source of variability in forest development. We investigated one type of biological legacy: remnant old-growth trees persisting in mature Douglas-fir forests. We hypothesized that persistence varies with topographic heterogeneity influencing fire behavior. Our two study areas are located in the southern Washington Cascade Range, USA. They have an unfragmented, mature forest cover that regenerated following wildfire. We mapped all remnant old-growth trees (live and dead) within 4.2–6.4 km long belt transects. Digital elevation models were used to generate convergent and divergent landform classes. Frequency analysis was used to test for landform associations. Live remnant western hemlock and western redcedar were strongly associated with convergent landforms and aspects that had greater availability of soil moisture. Live remnant Douglas-fir were most abundant, but were not correlated with convergence or divergence, although certain landforms had higher concentrations. Remnant snags were abundant across convergent and divergent landforms. We conclude that species with low fire resistance survive most frequently on landforms that have a dampening effect on fire intensity. Topographic variability may indirectly influence ecological functions associated with biological legacies by affecting the spatial distributions of remnant old-growth trees.

Sustainability in the crucible of competing demands

The need to integrate the conservation of biological diversity with social and economic goals is one of the world's most important challenges today. British Columbia's large area and variety of terrains and climates support extensive and diverse forest ecosystems. Historically, the harvesting of timber for forest products has been a primary factor in developing BC's social services and infrastructure. While forest products remain highly important to BC's economy, in recent decades increased environmental awareness has also brought a higher recognition of the richness of BC's biological legacy. Today, BC's forests must be managed sustainably to meet a wide range of management objectives and public demands. The necessary transition in management, which is still underway, has involved extensive public input and significant actions by government. These actions include the development of initiatives designed to conserve biodiversity through land-use planning—which identifies areas for protection and for harvesting—and through the legislated regulation of forest practices in areas suitable for harvesting. All the demands on the land base, and the capability of the land to meet various combinations of these demands, must be considered in determining allowable annual timber harvests.BC has made considerable progress in ensuring sustainability in forest management, but recognizes the evolutionary nature of this management and the inevitability of further change.

The Pursuit of Human Nature in Sociobiology and Evolutionary Sociology

Outside of sociology, evolutionary theory is once again commanding widespread attention in social science. Having sat out the spirited debates over sociobiology in the 1970s, most sociologists are largely unaware that the field has prospered and is now a respected, interdisciplinary science with a growing number of influential scholars within the social sciences. This article takes a critical look at sociobiology with a consideration of both its historical origins and its now modified theoretical stance, which is exemplified by Timothy Crippen's article “Toward a Neo-Darwinian Sociology.” In addition, this essay summarizes an alternative approach that might be called “evolutionary sociology.” While it also incorporates the Modern Synthesis, it uses established sociological methods and theory, along with primate data and the fossil and archaeological records, to consider the biological legacy of humankind.