The Evolution of Cultural Behavior

In the following dissertation I will be comparing the article, “The Evolution of Cultural Behavior” with “The Human Story”. I will also be sharing comments on my belief about the origins of human beings. In trying to comment on both articles I would like to invite you to consider the word evolution. Evolution as defined by, Merriam Webster Dictionary is the “process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state of being”. In this definition I will like to give great emphasizes to the statement “process of continuous change”.

First, in the article “The evolution of Cultural Behavior” we see a list of important topics which range from social life, subsistence, language, art, religion, birth and even environmental adaptation. These topics as described by the writer are the basic components that make up the “Human cultural behavior”. In the evolution of these cultural behaviors we see an evolutionary process, and the social transfer of information passed down from one generation to the next. These “social transfers” is what makes up the unique cultures found throughout all the territories inhabited.

Beginning with the earliest hominids we find that cultural and social adaptation was crucial in the survival of the species. Learning how to hunt, eat, socialize and even work in groups due to changes in weather, predators or even geography could mean the difference between the extinction and survival of the species. We find that humans in the last thirty thousand years (30,000) have also been undergoing a rapid cultural evolution which is preeminent in its development of civilizations. From working in groups of ten to twenty, to developing urbanized cities that inhabit millions is remarkable. Just think, the early hominids used stone tools to hunt, fight and protect. Today, we have seen weapons of mass destruction. In the development of language and art we find early signs of man communicating through symbols and sounds, eventually speech and language would develop into the prominent form of communication whereby we share in the understanding of concept and expression.

Art, in the other hand, was traced back thousands of years ago in cave paintings; you can see through these findings that art became prevalent in identifying the lifestyle of the early man and his early ability to relate and socially transfer information about his experiences and surroundings. All of these social adaptations were symbolic to an evolving sophisticated species.

In the article, “The Human Story” writer Robert Gilman begins his outline of the human history by starting with the earliest known primate classified as human, the Homo habilis. In his story he begins by taking us back two million years ago through the evolution of the human anatomy to the development of speech, food, tools, fire, hunting, religion, parenting and civilizations. In his explanation of human evolution and social development it is difficult not to relate to the evidence found in the previous article. Evolution seems to follow a common sequence of events, development and advancement. From the forest of Africa to our development of locomotion we all share a common evolutionary process that binds us together as a cultured species. And, these cultures are what separate us from the rest of all animals.

In conclusion, I have learned throughout these last couple of weeks that we are part of a very sophisticated and long evolutionary process. From the moment of conception to the process of birth and maturity we continue to undergo continual mental advancements and physical developments. There is no doubt that we all share a common ancestry and regardless of belief, gender, culture or creed we are humans. A fearfully crafted species which share a common story. From Africa to the Americas we are part of one big family who will continue to evolve. As part of the modern hominids we as humans have a natural instinct to survive. Our ability to survive will be important in our next stage of evolution.