Evolution guides humanity's cultural transformations from "summary" of The Patterning Instinct by Jeremy R. Lent
Evolutionary theory tells us that all life forms—including humans—are shaped by a process of natural selection. But this same evolutionary process also applies to human culture. Just as genetic mutations are subject to natural selection, cultural innovations are subject to a process of cultural selection. Over time, those cultural traits that are most adaptive tend to survive and spread, while those that are maladaptive tend to die out. This process of cultural evolution has been instrumental in shaping the course of human history. From the development of agriculture to the rise of complex civilizations, cultural evolution has guided humanity's journey through time. It has led to the creation of languages, religions, political systems, and technological advancements that have transformed societies and shaped the world we live in today. One key aspect of cultural evolution is the concept of cumulative culture. Unlike animals, which rely primarily on genetic inheritance to pass down knowledge from one genera...
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