Sociology Plus
Neo-Evolutionism Definition
Neo-evolutionism refers to a methodological approach developed by sociologists in the twentieth century who sought to refine earlier theories of societal evolution by integrating concepts drawn from Darwinian biological theory. Rather than viewing social change as an inevitable, linear unfolding, neo-evolutionists employed Darwinian principles—specifically adaptation, selection, and competition—to analyse how societal differentiation and change occur through processes of evolutionary adaptation and survival.
Theoretical Basis
The movement aimed to move beyond older models that depicted societal evolution as a simple, predetermined developmental plan. Neo-evolutionism sought to apply the mechanisms of biological evolution to social structures, suggesting that societal differentiation can be understood as an adaptive process.
Key Thinkers and Concepts
Notable figures have applied these ideas in various ways. Talcott Parsons, for instance, explored evolutionary universals by proposing that societal differentiation could be conceptualised as a mechanism of evolutionary adaptation. More recently, the British social theorist W.G. Runciman advanced an evolutionary sociology focused on the adaptation and survival of what he termed ‘practices’.
Status in Sociology
Neo-evolutionism is not established as a formal, singular school of sociological thought; instead, it functions as a common strategy adopted by various sociologists across different geographical locations, allowing for diverse interpretations of evolutionary processes.