Institut Jean Nicod

Changing models in cultural evolution: from (quasi-)Darwinian to ecological mechanisms: A commentary on ‘Quasi-Darwinian mechanisms: ecological inheritance and cumulative culture’ by Kim Sterelny

Kim Sterelny’s analysis of cultural learning moves cultural evolution theory away from Darwinian models toward cognition, ecological scaffolding and incentives. We argue his insights warrant a more radical conclusion: cultural evolution needs no Darwinian vocabulary, even in its...