The Evolution of Cultural Entities: EVOLUTION CULT ENT CTB: Vol. 112 (Proceedings of the British Academy)

ISBN 10: 0197262627 / ISBN 13: 9780197262627

Published by Liverpool University Press, 2002

About this Item

Seller Inventory # V9780197262627

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Evolution of Cultural Entities: EVOLUTION CULT ENT CTB: Vol. 112 (Proceedings of the British Academy)
• Publisher: Liverpool University Press
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0197262627
• ISBN 13: 9780197262627
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Ever since Darwin, scholars have noted that cultural entities such as languages, laws, firms and theories seem to 'evolve' through sequences of variation, selection and replication, in many ways just like living organisms. These essays consider whether this comparison is 'just a metaphor', or whether modern evolutionary theory can help us to understand the dynamics of different cultural domains.

The 'evolutionary paradigm of rationality' has a significant role to play throughout the human sciences, but raises complex issues in every cultural context where it is applied. By fostering discussion between scholars from a wide range of research traditions, this volume aims to influence the evolution of all of them.

About the Author

Michael Wheeler is a Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Dundee. John Ziman is Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Bristol; Fellow of the Royal Society. Margaret Boden is at the University of Sussex.