SIO518: Biological Definitions Do Not Do What Richard Dawkins Says They Do

SIO518: Biological Definitions Do Not Do What Richard Dawkins Says They Do

Author: seriouspod.com June 16, 2026 Duration: 1:03:44

Thomas is joined by Dr. Eric Jaffe, biologist, dinosaur enthusiast, and high school biology teacher, for a conversation that starts with a deceptively simple question: what are biological definitions actually doing?

It turns out that biology is far more like history than math, and that difference has enormous consequences for anyone trying to weaponize phrases like "the biological definition of sex." Dr. Jaffe walks through why definitions in inductive sciences are descriptive, not prescriptive, and what that means for species, chromosomes, fungi, LeBron James, and trans people.

"Exceptions aren't the exceptions in biology. They are built into what we call biological systems."

Plus: Patreon Q&A questions on alien DNA, how new chromosomes evolve, the 97% chimp figure, CRISPR vs. what came before, and Trump's research budget cuts.

Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here!

Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod


The conversations on Serious Inquiries Only start from a simple premise: that complex ideas deserve clear, thoughtful examination without sacrificing wit or approachability. Host Thomas guides these explorations, sitting down with experts and thinkers to untangle questions from the realms of science, political discourse, philosophical debate, and skeptical inquiry. What you’ll hear isn’t a stiff interview or a lecture, but a genuine dialogue that values curiosity over confrontation. The tone is friendly and the pace is engaging, allowing for both depth and detours, ensuring that even the most rigorous topics feel like a compelling chat rather than homework. This podcast operates on the belief that serious subject matter doesn’t have to be dry or inaccessible, and that humor is a powerful tool for understanding. Each episode is built on a foundation of critical thinking, aiming to dissect arguments, examine evidence, and navigate the nuances of issues that shape our world. It’s a space for listeners who want to engage with substantive content but appreciate a conversational, human touch in the process. You can find Serious Inquiries Only, created by seriouspod.com, within News podcast categories, where it offers a blend of intellectual substance and relatable delivery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Serious Inquiries Only
Podcast Episodes
SIO527: The Science of Why We Ask Why, with Dr. Tania Lombrozo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:45
Dr. Tania Lombrozo, professor of psychology at Princeton University (affiliated with its philosophy and cognitive science departments), joins Thomas to discuss her forthcoming book Why We Ask Why: The Science of Explanat…
SIO526: Why Is College So Expensive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:13
David O'Brien, higher education policy scholar with the California Community Colleges System, is back to answer the question Thomas posed last time: why is college so expensive? They get into tuition vs. total cost of at…
Some More News Is COMPLETELY WRONG About Spider-Man Brand New Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:07
I cannot stop thinking about Cody from Some More News's video in which he could not stop thinking about Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Cody is INCREDIBLY sure that you're an idiot incapable of watching movies or consuming ar…
SIO525: Dude Who Said Autism Is "Extreme Male Brain" Walks It Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:04
... and other autism/ADHD research! So pleased to have Dr. Jenessa Seymour back - this time with a variety of studies in the Autism and ADHD realms. Jurek, L., Duchier, A., Gauld, C., Henault, L., Giroudon, C., Fourneret…
SIO523: What Cancer Actually Is, Part 1 (with Dr. Eric Jaffe) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:05
Part 1! Dr. Eric Jaffe, the biology teacher who keeps naming proteins after cartoon characters, returns for a two-part cancer deep dive. Today: what cancer actually is at the cellular level, why elephants barely get it,…
SIO521: The Daily Is Sane-Washing Trump's War on Higher Ed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
Thomas is joined by David O'Brien, a higher education policy scholar who works for the California Community Colleges system, to pick apart Trump's new rules threatening to cut off student loans and Pell grants from "low-…
SIO520: My Talk at SkeptiCal - Selective Skepticism Is Not Skepticism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:06
Thanks so much to the folks at SkeptiCal for inviting me! Though the talk does deal with the Butler shooting, I thought some way different stuff for this including a ridiculously overwrought hypothetical, my favorite kin…
SIO519: People Are Misinterpreting Obsession in Very Revealing Ways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:48
The "nice guy" is the villain. We watched Obsession and cannot stop thinking about it. It has so much to say about gender, consent, "nice guys" and more. And it scarred Lydia for life. WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS. Are you…