New Books Network Armin W. Schulz, "Presentist Social Functionalism: Bringing Contemporary Evolutionary Biology to the Social Sciences" (Springer, 2025)
Sep 10, 2025
Armin W. Schulz, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kansas, dives into presentist social functionalism, bridging evolutionary biology and social sciences. He argues that social institutions thrive based on current functionality, not historical context. The conversation critiques traditional views, emphasizing how institutions like corporations can serve broader societal roles beyond mere profit. Schulz also addresses the complexities of institutional corruption, reflecting on the interplay between individual actions and systemic issues, ultimately advocating for a richer understanding of social dynamics.
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Philosophical Path From Britain To Kansas
- Armin Schulz recounts his path from undergrad in Britain to a PhD at Madison and professorships at LSE and Kansas.
- He emphasizes serendipity and interdisciplinary curiosity driving his shift toward evolutionary biology and social science integration.
Humans Live In Rich Normative Worlds
- Humans uniquely live in richly normatively structured environments and are aware of appropriate ways to act.
- Schulz adopts a rule-based conception of social institutions rather than only game-equilibrium models.
Functions Shaped Early Social Science
- Functional explanations have long shaped social science, from Durkheim's organism analogy to Parsons and Merton.
- Mid-20th-century theoretical worries diminished functionalist appeals, prompting renewed clarification.
