After Evolution | Oliver Scott Curry, Daniel Everett, Janet Radcliffe Richards
May 1, 2018
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Oliver Scott Curry, a cognitive and evolutionary psychologist from Oxford, Daniel Everett, a linguist and cultural anthropologist, and Janet Radcliffe Richards, a practical philosopher, delve into the interplay of evolution, culture, and human behavior. They challenge genetic determinism, emphasizing culture's role in shaping society and emotional responses. The trio explores personal anecdotes from field research, critiques the simplification of cultural constructs, and calls for deeper engagement in the evolutionary psychology landscape, highlighting the need for impartial scientific inquiry.
Human behavior results from both evolved psychological mechanisms and cultural influences, emphasizing the need for an integrative understanding of these factors.
Gender differences in behavior can be reassessed through evolutionary theory, acknowledging the significant role of cultural conditioning alongside biological influences.
Deep dives
The Role of Genes in Human Behavior
Human behavior is influenced by a combination of evolved psychological mechanisms and cultural inventions. While genes contribute to some aspects of behavior, they do not solely account for cultural variations. For instance, cultural practices such as caregiving roles differ markedly across societies, indicating that environment and social context play significant roles. This highlights that understanding human behavior requires an integrative approach that considers both genetic and cultural factors, rather than attributing differences to genetics alone.
Cultural Differences and Evolutionary Psychology
Cultural differences cannot be purely explained by genetic factors, as they are shaped by learning and environmental influences. Discussants emphasize the need for further research into isolated societies to gain insights into how culture informs behavior. Additionally, the flexible nature of human psychology allows for diverse expressions of cultural norms that may not be predicted by any hardwired mechanisms. This suggests that culture possesses a powerful, structured influence on behavior, challenging the idea of simplistic genetic determinism.
Distinctive Gender Behaviors and Evolution
Gender differences in behavior and psychology can be examined through the lens of evolutionary theory, which considers the biological roles of males and females. While historical scientific discourse often assumed vast differences between the sexes, modern insights urge a reassessment of these claims by factoring in cultural conditioning. The interplay between biological and cultural dimensions offers new avenues of inquiry in understanding sex differences, particularly how social environments can reshape these expectations. This perspective fosters an ongoing exploration of the complexities behind gender behaviors beyond mere genetic explanations.
In 1859, Charles Darwin changed the course of history for ever by publishing On the Origin of Species. In 1872 he published ‘The expression of the emotions in man and animals.’ Which didn’t rock the boat quite so much, but it continues to be a source of controversy in our ongoing scientific debates on evolution, and specifically, how it relates to human psychology. Can evolution explain cultural and social differences? Or do we need something new? Julian Baggini explores the limits of evolution with philosopher Janet Radcliffe Richards, anthropologist Daniel Everett and Oxford evolutionary psychologist Oliver Scott Curry.