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19 / 07 / 2004
Francis John Odling-Smee (Oxford University): “Without realizing it we have changed evolution”
The Dialogue “The Social Brain” included experts who discussed the human mind and analyzed human kind's behavior and evolution
Professor of evolutionary anthropology at the Institute of Biological Anthropology at Oxford University, Francis John Odling-Smee, discussed species' adaptation to their natural environment, their evolution and transformation. Odling-Smee mentioned various theories. He referred to the theory of dual cultural/genetic evolution that is based on cultural inheritance although he does not believe that this can have consequences on human evolution. This theory states that only humans can modify natural selection.
Odling-Smee mentioned the broader theory of evolution that includes genetic, ecological and cultural inheritance. Odling-Smee used the example of livestock breeding dedication and how humans have become come to tolerate lactose. “This genetic response varied according to cultural change,” added the professor. “Cultural processes can change human genetics because human beings are not solely mechanisms of survival but also active cooperators in their evolution,” concluded Odling-Smee.
The professor ex0lained, “without realizing this we are changing evolutionary processes and modifying the construction of genes; this can lead to destruction that can overcome in millions of years or in fast processes, depending on the genes. If we want to avoid destruction by means of the construction of genes we must improve the science of knowledge.”
According to Merlin Donald, psychology professor of the University of Queens “we live in a historic collision between mythic culture and theoretical culture.” In this respect Donald explained that mythic culture is based on tribalism where myths and mimesis are most important. For Donald our ancestors were apes and mimesis constituted the first step taken towards humanization. Donald described this culture as slow, deep, stable, internal, oral and narrative.
On the other hand, theoretical culture is defined as paradigmatic, rapid, written, interior and true. This theory is based on new forms of representation of cognitive processes. For Donald, “this theory changes our way of reasoning, as it goes beyond science, and because there is a memory that determines new ways of cognitive governance.” Donald added that this theory “does not refer to a feeling of belonging.”
Peter Hammerstein, professor of biology of the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, explained, “the principles of cooperation are not only found in human nature.” For Hammerstein biological behaviors have some of the traits of the market economy laws. In this respect Hammerstein gave the example of the exchange relationship between fish and bats.
Hammerstein said, “Human cooperation relationships are more complex than those of animals.” The professor stated, “When there is punishment there is more cooperation.” Hammerstein also spoke about the shame factor, which “is a biological reaction of subjective self-punishment for breaking the rules.” Shame is put in place “by the socio-cultural context, when the rest know that someone has done something reprehensible,” added Hammerstein.
“Individuals live in a group and take altruistic actions into account, as well as people’s reputations before helping them. “If you do not help a bad person, you are not discredited,” explained Hammerstein. “Human beings do not act according to what may be expected of an evolutionary process, and this further complicates our theories,” concluded Hammerstein.
Luc Steels, professor of computational science of the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, has studied the behavior of robots and reached the following conclusions in his research: “Robots were the same but inequalities emerged in the course of their behavior with the environment.” In this respect Steels believe, “it is indispensable, not only to consider individuals themselves, but also within their collective dynamics and the aspects that may bear an influence on them.”
“Many phenomena are overlooked if we do not regard a population in terms of brains,” said Steels. The professor believes, “the better adapted we are to others, the easier and more efficient dialogue and interaction will be.” Steels thinks our will to maintain diversity and cultural richness by avoiding conflict is paradoxical and he proposed “dialogue and communication to resolve our differences.” Steels pointed out that language reveals the underlying worldviews and the categories applied to this. “”Conflict between societies is closely related to world categorizations and to different conceptualizations of it,” concluded Steels.
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