What is "hereditarianism"

n. the school of thought that heredity is more important than factors such as environment in determining intelligence and behaviour

n. the philosophical doctrine that heredity is more important than environment in determining intellectual growth [ant: environmentalism]

Hereditarianism is the doctrine or school of thought that heredity plays a significant role in determining human nature and character traits, such as intelligence and personality. Hereditarians believe in the power of genetics to explain human character traits and solve human social and political problems. Hereditarians adopt the view that an understanding of human evolution can extend the understanding of human nature. They have avowedly rejected the standard social science model in favor of applying the scientific method to human social structure.