Cultural Evolution

How Darwinian Theory Can Explain Human Culture and Synthesize the Social Sciences

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Cultural Evolution by Alex Mesoudi, University of Chicago Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Alex Mesoudi ISBN: 9780226520452
Publisher: University of Chicago Press Publication: July 30, 2011
Imprint: University of Chicago Press Language: English
Author: Alex Mesoudi
ISBN: 9780226520452
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Publication: July 30, 2011
Imprint: University of Chicago Press
Language: English

Charles Darwin changed the course of scientific thinking by showing how evolution accounts for the stunning diversity and biological complexity of life on earth. Recently, there has also been increased interest in the social sciences in how Darwinian theory can explain human culture.

 

Covering a wide range of topics, including fads, public policy, the spread of religion, and herd behavior in markets, Alex Mesoudi shows that human culture is itself an evolutionary process that exhibits the key Darwinian mechanisms of variation, competition, and inheritance. This cross-disciplinary volume focuses on the ways cultural phenomena can be studied scientifically—from theoretical modeling to lab experiments, archaeological fieldwork to ethnographic studies—and shows how apparently disparate methods can complement one another to the mutual benefit of the various social science disciplines. Along the way, the book reveals how new insights arise from looking at culture from an evolutionary angle. Cultural Evolution provides a thought-provoking argument that Darwinian evolutionary theory can both unify different branches of inquiry and enhance understanding of human behavior.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Charles Darwin changed the course of scientific thinking by showing how evolution accounts for the stunning diversity and biological complexity of life on earth. Recently, there has also been increased interest in the social sciences in how Darwinian theory can explain human culture.

 

Covering a wide range of topics, including fads, public policy, the spread of religion, and herd behavior in markets, Alex Mesoudi shows that human culture is itself an evolutionary process that exhibits the key Darwinian mechanisms of variation, competition, and inheritance. This cross-disciplinary volume focuses on the ways cultural phenomena can be studied scientifically—from theoretical modeling to lab experiments, archaeological fieldwork to ethnographic studies—and shows how apparently disparate methods can complement one another to the mutual benefit of the various social science disciplines. Along the way, the book reveals how new insights arise from looking at culture from an evolutionary angle. Cultural Evolution provides a thought-provoking argument that Darwinian evolutionary theory can both unify different branches of inquiry and enhance understanding of human behavior.

More books from University of Chicago Press

Cover of the book The Mysteries of the Marco Polo Maps by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Rise and Fall of Modern Japanese Literature by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Islands of History by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book What Kinship Is-And Is Not by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Common Place of Law by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Hagfish Slime and Lobster Rolls by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Lost Mars by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Why We Need Ordinary Language Philosophy by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Romantic Things by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Economics of Food Price Volatility by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Ascent of Affect by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Epochs of Nature by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book A Listener's Guide to Free Improvisation by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book The Great William by Alex Mesoudi
Cover of the book Shakespeare's Freedom by Alex Mesoudi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy