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

Abstract

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 ‘quasi-Darwinian’ form. Cultural stability and change are better understood as repeated phenotypic constructions triggered by the passive ecological legacies left by previous generations, not as copying or descent-with-modification. Reinforcement, salience and incentive shifts become adaptive responses to ecological structure, and cumulative culture the growing density of legacies. The mechanisms of cultural change may be ecological rather than Darwinian.