Human Evolution and Cultural Diversity: A Comprehensive Look
Human Evolution: From Creationism to Natural Selection
Biblical tradition explained the origin of humans through creationist theories. These conceptions were based on a fixist assumption. In the 18th century, advocates of creationism and fixism included Carl Linnaeus and Georges Cuvier. Their work defended the thesis that the adaptability of individuals to the environment is the result of intelligent design. These works criticized Lamarck.
Evolutionary Explanations: Darwin and Natural Selection
The publication of Charles Darwin’s work, The Origin of Species, in 1859, led to the downfall of fixist doctrines. Darwin’s work laid the foundations of current evolutionary explanations:
- Species undergo continuous transformations.
- Natural selection is the explanatory principle of evolution. Many changes occur in species, but only those that are more effective in the struggle for life persist.
- Human beings are descended from ancient primates.
The absence of a theory that would account for the factors that influenced the inheritance of characteristics was later addressed by Gregor Mendel.
Hominization: Key Evolutionary Changes
- Upright Posture: Scholars agree that the evolution of an upright posture was a substantial evolutionary change.
- Upper Limb Specialization: Upright walking, without using the upper extremities, allowed hands to specialize in different functions. Hands replaced the mouth as an organ of defense and work.
- Brain Development: Between Australopithecus and Homo sapiens sapiens, brain size tripled and became more complex.
- Technical Capacity: This is the ability to make and use tools to modify the environment and satisfy our needs.
- Symbolic Capacity: This is the ability humans have to create and express themselves through symbols.
Language and the Development of Symbolic Thought
Language is a specific trait of humans. Articulate speech has resulted in language through:
- A genetic mutation that caused this specialization.
- The gradual increase in general intelligence.
- The generalization of hand signals.
Perspectives on Cultural Diversity
- Ethnocentrism: This is the attitude of those who judge and value the culture of other groups based on the criteria or beliefs of their own culture, assuming that theirs is superior.
- Racism: This refers to any belief, attitude, or behavior based on the consideration that some races are superior to others.
- Xenophobia: This is an attitude of contempt and rejection of everything foreign, different, or strange.
- Cultural Relativism: This is based on the belief that each culture has value in itself.
- Universalism: This proposes a rejection of ethnocentric attitudes to avoid imposing one culture on others.
- Interculturalism and Dialogue: This arises from the recognition of multiculturalism as an enriching factor that can help us better understand ourselves and the world.
Dynamics of Culture: Understanding Cultural Transformations
There are five types of cultural transformations:
- Cultural Changes: This means, in some cases, the introduction of new content and, in others, the modification of existing cultural transmissions.
- Cultural Transmission: This carries cultural information vertically (from parents to children) or horizontally (among people of the same generation).
- Cultural Diffusion: This is the transfer of elements from other cultures and their adoption as one’s own.
- Cultural Drift: This occurs when a culture is fragmented into groups and subgroups.
- Cultural Selection: This happens when cultural innovations that are effective remain because group members prefer and choose them.
The Concept of the Person: A Historical Perspective
- Classical Antiquity: The etymological origin of the word “person” is found here, but not the concept of the person as we know it today.
- Middle Ages: The term “person” first appears in Christianity to refer to humans as creations of God.
- Modern Times: The use of the term “person” is extended, associated with notions of dignity, freedom, and value.
Essential Traits of the Person
Courage, dignity, freedom, and ethical commitment.