New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Cordelia Fine, "Testosterone Rex: Myths of Sex, Science, and Society" (Norton, 2018)

Jan 11, 2025

Cordelia Fine, a Professor in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne, dives into her groundbreaking work, 'Testosterone Rex.' She dismantles myths about biological sex being a rigid determinant of gender roles. Fine discusses how cultural assumptions have skewed our understanding of hormones and behavior. She critiques outdated views on female mating and evolutionary psychology, advocating for a more nuanced perspective on gender. Additionally, she previews her upcoming book, 'Patriarchy Inc.', promising further insights on gender equality.

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Intro

00:00 • 1min

Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Science

01:28 • 17min

Revisiting Sexual Selection: The Complexity of Female Mating Behavior

18:55 • 5min

Challenging Evolutionary Psychology Myths

23:43 • 20min

Understanding Interactionism: Biology Meets Environment

43:38 • 3min

Understanding Gender and the Brain

46:20 • 21min

Exploring Future Works on Gender and Equality

01:06:56 • 3min

Many people believe that, at its core, biological sex is a fundamental, diverging force in human development. According to this overly familiar story, differences between the sexes are shaped by past evolutionary pressures―women are more cautious and parenting-focused, while men seek status to attract more mates. In each succeeding generation, sex hormones and male and female brains are thought to continue to reinforce these unbreachable distinctions, making for entrenched inequalities in modern society.

In Testosterone Rex: Myths of Sex, Science, and Society (Norton, 2018), psychologist Cordelia Fine wittily explains why past and present sex roles are only serving suggestions for the future, revealing a much more dynamic situation through an entertaining and well-documented exploration of the latest research that draws on evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and philosophy. She uses stories from daily life, scientific research, and common sense to break through the din of cultural assumptions. Testosterone, for instance, is not the potent hormonal essence of masculinity; the presumed, built-in preferences of each sex, from toys to financial risk taking, are turned on their heads.

Moving beyond the old “nature versus nurture” debates, Testosterone Rex disproves ingrained myths and calls for a more equal society based on both sexes’ full, human potential.

Cordelia Fine is a Canadian-born British philosopher of science, psychologist, and writer. She is a full professor in the History and Philosophy of Science programme at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter.

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