The philosophy you're referring to is likely social determinism or more broadly, determinism in the context of social and environmental factors. This concept emerged in part as a response to the societal changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, which highlighted how individual behavior and personal attributes could be heavily influenced by the social environment, economic conditions, and cultural context.
Social determinism posits that an individual's actions and traits are largely shaped by their social and environmental circumstances. This idea is connected to various sociological theories and movements, including those related to poverty, class, and systemic inequalities, suggesting that societal structures play a significant role in determining behavior and opportunities. Thinkers associated with this philosophy can include early sociologists like Émile Durkheim, who emphasized the influence of social facts on individual behavior.
This perspective challenges notions of moral responsibility that overlook the underlying social and environmental influences on individuals, arguing instead that people cannot be fairly blamed for their flaws when these factors are at play.