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The Evolution of Culture: An Interdisciplinary View [Paperback]

Robin Dunbar (Author), Chris Knight (Author), Camilla Power (Author)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Edinburgh University Press; First Edition edition (1 Feb 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0748610766
  • ISBN-13: 978-0748610761
  • Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.6 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,011,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Fascinating ! there are many [other] excellent papers in this volume, more than room permits to discuss here. All are commendable contributions to the important re-emerging field of Darwinian cultural evolution. Fascinating ! there are many [other] excellent papers in this volume, more than room permits to discuss here. All are commendable contributions to the important re-emerging field of Darwinian cultural evolution.

Product Description

This book explores the ways in which contemporary evolutionary thinking might inform the study of the peculiarly human phenomenon of symbolic culture, including language, ritual, religion, religion and art. It draws together contributions from biologists, linguists, anthropologists and archaeologists in order to establish common ground where collaboration and interaction will be especially productive and challenging in the study of those fundamental aspects of our biology that makes us human. * Multidisciplinary * An evolutionary approach to culture
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The past two decades have seen a resurgence in Darwinian evolutionary theory that has revolutionized our understanding of social behaviour. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tracing our roots, 27 Nov 2003
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Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Evolution of Culture: An Interdisciplinary View (Paperback)
The concept of "culture" has been long used as a lever to sever humanity from the path of evolution. The fragile nature of that lever truly is the theme of this book. By assembling a team of scientists from various fields of study, the editors have fashioned a comprehensive picture of many elements comprising human culture. Structuring the book around themes of universal interest, they establish a sound scientific base for a difficult topic. While the book is intended for an academic audience, the editors have chosen their authors carefully. The material isn't buried in arcane language. The authors use a clear, straightforward style in presenting their evidence. It's important to remember that it is evidence, not mere speculation, that is being offered in these articles.

The editors set the theme of "applying a rigorous Darwinian analysis" to human culture in their Introduction. They remind us that this is a topic that has long eluded a disciplined investigation. Darwinian approaches to human evolution are difficult, but the editors contend that solid research offers insights previous scholars have ignored or not attempted. Their selection of three major themes, society, language, art and religion, allows them to demonstrate how these areas reflect the evolutionary process in our species.

To recount the eleven essays here would effectively re-write the book. There are pieces dealing with various forms of symbolism, the application of cooperation and altruism, and courting behaviour. The authors frequently remind us that evolution goes far beyond mere "survival". A mulititude of elements interplay in determining which individuals are "fittest" in the human environment. Art, for example, has many roots, and "body painting" is but one of many of them. In Camilla Powers' essay, she demonstrates how mating rituals, community organisation and colour recognition work together to build art forms and social structure. Religion, an item of intense debate, is skillfully examined in Steven Mithen's essay on how humans came to devise the idea of the supernatural. He suggests that the idea of a "supernatural" being arose with the maturation of human cognition. Religion, therefore, arose not as a survival trait, but merely as an extension of human cognitive capability.

The information offered in each essay is thoroughly referenced at the end of the piece. There are illustrative charts and graphics summarising the information in the text. In all, this collection will stand for some time as a foundation for further work. The editorial team is to be congratulated for their effort in bringing together so many fine authors addressing a difficult topic. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

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