
Michael Wheeler (ed.)
et al.
Published online:
22 January 2015
Published in print:
03 October 2002
Online ISBN:
9780191771989
Print ISBN:
9780197262627
Contents
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Is Culture Unique to Humans? Is Culture Unique to Humans?
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How Should We Think About These Different Kinds Ofcultural Entity? How Should We Think About These Different Kinds Ofcultural Entity?
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Is Culture to be Understood in Terms of Processes or Mechanisms? Is Culture to be Understood in Terms of Processes or Mechanisms?
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What is the Relative Importance of Individualdevelopment and Evolution? What is the Relative Importance of Individualdevelopment and Evolution?
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Are culture and Cultural Entities Adaptations ? Are culture and Cultural Entities Adaptations ?
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References References
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Cite
Plotkin, Henry, 'Learning from Culture', in Michael Wheeler, John Ziman, and Margaret A. Boden (eds), The Evolution of Cultural Entities, Proceedings of the British Academy (London , 2002; online edn, British Academy Scholarship Online, 22 Jan. 2015), https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197262627.003.0007, accessed 12 May 2025.
Abstract
This chapter examines some of the lessons that can be learned by social scientists from a naturalised science of culture. After considering whether culture is unique to humans, it discusses different kinds of cultural entities such as artefacts and how we should think about them. It then explores whether culture must be understood in terms of processes or mechanisms and evaluates the relative importance of individual development and evolution. Finally, it explores whether culture and cultural entities may be considered adaptations.
Keywords:
culture, humans, cultural entities, artefacts, processes, mechanisms, development, evolution, adaptations
Subject
Intellectual History
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