Founders Colloquium: The Solvay Solution

abstract Some ninety years ago, Ernest Solvay and Emile Waxweiler, arguing for an intimate connection between sociology and physiology, presented the solution to the problem of how to go about the study of human groups. Alas, their solution was drowned out by the bellowing of Durkheim.

vighdan: “Les phénomènes physio- et psycho-énergétiques,” said Solvay (1), “qui sont à la base de la vie et qui en sont la raison d’être, sont aussi à la base des groupements sociaux.”

devi: “Par cela même qu’elle est une science biologique,” wrote Waxweiler (2), “la sociologie impose à celui qui s’y consacre, au sociologiste —”

turbo: And should we hasten to add that sociophysiology imposes on whomever would consecrate herself to it, c’est-à-dire, on the sociophysiologist? —

vighdan: By all means. Continue, Kiko.

devi: “ — le souci constant du point de vue, des méthodes et des procédés de travail de la biologie.”

vighdan: “Chaque groupe humain particulier,” suggested Solvay (1), “l’espèce humaine toute entière, doivent être considérés comme une réaction chimique organisée qui se continue et tend à se développer sans cesse — “

flamingo: Didn’t Nietzsche say something like that? Something about a chemical historical philosophy of life?

hamiltonian: Exactly. And the organized chemical reaction, of course, doesn’t limit itself to any particular human group, or only to the human species toute entière, but constitutes all of life, all organisms, from the virus on “up”. Nietzsche was a crypto-sociophysiologist.

de queiros: Could he have been aposematic as well?