Cultural Group Selection from the Perspective of Cultural Genes
The"gene-culture coevolution theory",particularly through the"cultural gene perspective,"has sparked renewed interest in explaining group selection within the context of cultural evolution.Central to this discussion is the notion that the most prevalent and significant cultural genes are the"institutions"as described in new institutional economics.Despite this resurgence of interest,academia has not yet reached a consensus on several pivotal concepts in cultural evolution theory,such as the units or replicators of selection,interactors,and trait groups.This lack of agreement undermines the robustness of foun-dational research in cultural evolution.This text contends that,in contrast to the concept of"memes,"replicators are better suited as the units of selection in cultural evolution.Replicators are fragments of culture that are both replicable and transmittable,characterized by their non-material nature.This concept closely aligns with the"social science facts"referred to by scholars like John Searle and Fried-rich Hayek.Replicators can be divided into three distinct categories:Type I replicators,which are institutional facts(such as conventions and laws);Type II replicators,which are human-designed products(such as the knowledge required to design an automobile);and Type III replicators,which are human behaviors not directly designed by humans(such as moral rules).Repli-cators are carried by interactors,which possess material characteristics and are essentially cultural groups.These cultural groups,which exhibit different phenotypes,are referred to as"trait groups."To understand the complex causal relationships between replicators,interactors,replicator fitness,and group selection,it is useful to apply the Price equation.This equation helps analyze how beliefs,values,attitudes,and other crucial replicators determine the phenotypic fitness of cultural groups.By utilizing this analytical framework,we can explore the intricate mechanisms of cultural group selection.Specifically,this framework allows us to investigate how replicators determine the relative fitness advantage of trait groups'phenotypes.Through this lens,we can analyze which types of replicators are likely to be adopted by cultural groups and which are likely to be eliminated over time.This approach provides valuable insights into the origins of core institutions that shape human coop-erative order,such as language,morality,money,and distinct property rights.By understanding the mechanisms of cultural group selection and the role of replicators,we can better comprehend how cultural institutions evolve and solidify over time,contributing to the broader framework of human social cooperation.
Cultural EvolutionSex GroupsGroup SelectionCultural Gene Perspective
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