Social (Non-biological) Evolution

2010-02-24

In theories of biological evolution, traits mutate and are passed on to others through biological reproduction. Beings with biological traits that are well suited for their present environment are most likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits on to the next generation. Over many iterations of this process, traits may persist, die out, or spread through a population. However, this is not a straight forward process. Both ancient and modern history has shown that what promotes survival one day my be detrimental the next, and what works in one situation or environment may be a disadvantage in another. Consequently, theories of evolution cannot say much if anything about how populations will evolve or whether a population will be successful in the long run. Biological evolution simply describes an abstract process.

This conception of biological evolution overlooks the evolution of socially transmitted behaviors. Behavior evolves as actions are performed, taught, copied, interpreted, modified, combined, forgotten, rejected, or discovered through accident or experiment. This process is also not straight forward or very predictable. Throughout the world we find significant variety in cultural and individual behavior. We might adopt a behavior in response to environment, or simply because other people around us are doing it. We might also adopt a harmful behavior that seems like a good idea, or reject a beneficial behavior because we don't recognize the benefit.

Socially transmitted behaviors may affect success, physical survival, how our bodies and minds develop, the stresses we experience, how we reproduce and with whom, and how we transform our environment (which then transforms us). On the other hand, biological evolution to a great extent determines our physical and mental capabilities and our relationship with our environment. In other words, social and biological evolution are closely interconnected in social populations. Social evolution steers biological evolution and biological evolution steers social evolution.

Biological evolution is a relatively slow process occurring over generations. In contrast social evolution may occur very quickly, allowing populations to adapt quickly to changes in environment. Socially learned behaviors may evolve over much longer times periods as well. For example, over time, interpretation and influence from ancient cultures has evolved significantly.