Abstract

Cumulative cultural evolution (CCE)—defined as the process by which beneficial modifications are culturally transmitted and progressively accumulated over time—has long been argued to underlie the unparalleled diversity and complexity of human culture. In this talk, I will argue that not just any kind of cultural accumulation will give rise to human-like culture. Rather, I will suggest that human CCE depends on the gradual exploitation of natural phenomena, which are features of our environment that, through the laws of physics, chemistry or biology, generate reliable effects which can be exploited for a purpose. I will argue that CCE comprises two distinct processes: optimizing cultural traits that exploit a given set of natural phenomena (Type I CCE) and expanding the set of natural phenomena we exploit (Type II CCE). I will illustrate my claim using examples from the empirical literature and I will suggest that the most critical features of human CCE, including its open-ended dynamic, stems from Type II CCE. Finally, I will discuss the socio-cognitive requirements associated with each of the two cumulative cultural processes.

Reference

Maxime Derex (Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse), “Human cumulative culture and the exploitation of natural phenomena”, IAST Lunch Seminar, Toulouse: IAST, March 8, 2022, 12:45–13:45, room AUDITORIUM 4.