The Evolution of a Uniquely Human Way of Life
Buch, Englisch, 217 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 1100 g
ISBN: 978-0-387-30512-7
Verlag: Springer US
Paleolithic archaeologists and human paleontologists have failed to address the origins of a phenomenon that is both absolutely central to the human way of life and unique to our species.
In all species of mammals, there are codes (rules, concepts, values, etc.) that govern behavior. Among humans, and only among humans, some of these codes are created socially, through interactions among individuals. Human culture is thus an emergent phenomenon, one that cannot be understood without taking into account the interactions among individuals. Other species may learn codes socially, from their parents or other members of their species, but the codes are not created socially.
Because human society creates the culture that governs individual behavior, it can control individual members in a way that other primate societies cannot. Culture can facilitate cooperative and group activities, but can also lead individuals to behave contrary to their own evolutionary best interests.
This book describes the emergent nature of human culture. It proposes hypotheses to explain how a phenomenon that is potentially maladaptive for individuals could have evolved, and to explain why culture plays such a pervasive role in human life. It then reviews the primatological, fossil, and archaeological data to test these hypotheses.
Zielgruppe
Professional/practitioner
Autoren/Hrsg.
Fachgebiete
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Vor- und Frühgeschichte, prähistorische Archäologie
- Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Archäologie: Theorie und Methoden
- Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Humanbiologie Physische Anthropologie, Paläoanthropologie, Evolutionäre Anthropologie
- Sozialwissenschaften Ethnologie | Volkskunde Volkskunde Historische & Regionale Volkskunde
- Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Philosophische Anthropologie
Weitere Infos & Material
How is human culture different?.- Why does culture exist?.- The origins of socially constructed coding.- The elaboration of culture.- Conclusion.
