The anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy argued that a reading of On Human Nature refutes the accusation that Wilson aims to use sociobiology to reinforce traditional sex roles. The philosopher Roger Scruton criticized Wilson's sociobiological explanations of human social behavior, arguing that because of Wilson's "polemical purpose" he was forced to oversimplify the facts.
Sarah Blaffer Hrdy contended that a study of On Human Nature disproves Wilson's claim to use sociobiology to uphold traditional gender roles. Roger Scruton criticized Wilson's sociobiological explanations of human social behavior, asserting that due to his "polemical intent," he had to oversimplify the facts.