#960 - Jerry Coyne - The Spiciest Ideas Of Evolutionary Biology

In this interview, Chris Williamson and Jerry Coyne discuss a range of topics related to evolutionary biology, including speciation, the evidence for evolution, and the ideological erosion of science. Coyne shares his work on speciation, explaining how species remain distinct through reproductive isolation barriers. The conversation shifts to the denial of evolution, particularly in the United States, and the politicization of science, with both the right and left using evolutionary concepts to support their ideologies. They delve into the challenges facing evolutionary psychology, the impact of ideology on scientific fields, and the concept of the reverse naturalistic fallacy. The discussion also covers the biological differences between human groups, the dysgenic theory of gene erosion, and the importance of empirical truth in science.