[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dr_Tazimus_maximus:
Te appears to be mixing Societal evolution with Natural (ie environmental and species) evolution. A common mistake IMO and one that has done a great deal of damage to the common understanding of Natural Selection and Natural evolution.
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I have my doubts about the validity of distinguishing between "societal" and "natural" evolution.
Societal evolution is really just evolution complicated by one peculiar human adaptation-- the ability to modify behavior and pass such behavioral modifications along without altering genetics. The adaptation that makes this possible-- the brain-- is a very natural component. We can't just "step out" of nature. It isn't possible. We still adapt to our environments, but in a radically different way than most animals.
A branch of anthropology known as "cultural ecology" addresses this issue head on. A man named Marvin Harris is probably the father of the science.
The "damage" is done to natural selection when religious and political ideas are injected into the formula.
Take care.
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