Abstract

In recent years, there has been a shift in how we study cultural evolution, with scientists taking a more biology-based approach, which is in direct opposition with the work done in the social sciences. This approach is based on the view that culture, including technology, language, beliefs, customs, values, traditions, language, and so on, changes through time analogously to the way that organisms evolve genetically, and that both evolutionary processes interact causally. This scientific program is known as Cultural Evolutionary Theory (CET) and it has different sub-fields like dual-inheritance theory and memetics. This dissertation delves into the main philosophical challenges of CET. In particular, it focuses on four, normally overlooked, aspects: (1) Cultural information. Even though informational language is widely used in this field, it is rarely defined and operationalized. However, it is important to get a better understanding of what is meant by culture and cultural information because it affects research. In working towards a better understanding of this concept, this dissertation builds on the parallels between genetic and cultural evolutionary systems. (2) Cultural complexity. Human culture is undoubtedly highly complex, and cultural evolutionists use various ways to measure cultural complexity. However, these methods often produce different results, which is a problem in scientific practice. This dissertation suggests that the reason of this divergence might be due to the different definitions of cultural complexity assumed. Therefore, it is important to develop a coherent conceptual framework, particularly one based on causality and information, to better understand cultural complexity. (3) Cultural maladaptation. Much of CET has focused on cultural traits that seem adaptive, such as medicines, technology, cooking, and so on, but this might lead to a bias. The focus on adaptation can make us overlook the study of cultural maladaptation, which are traits that reduce fitness, like harmful traditions such as celibacy or unsustainable practices such as overexploitation of the environment. This dissertation identifies four different concepts of cultural maladaptation and suggests ways to better identify and explain the origin, spread, and evolution of cultural maladaptive traits. (4) Evolutionary progress. While this dissertation focuses on theoretical aspects, CET has practical applications. It can help us identify and address harmful cultural traits and support the spread of beneficial ones. By understanding how culture evolves, we can make positive changes in society, like countering harmful beliefs and promoting practices that improve our well-being. This dissertation argues that having an operational definition of cultural evolutionary progress that is compatible with Darwinism can be a step forward towards the application of CET.