The Dynamics of Cultural Evolution

Focusing on cultural systems as distinct entities, the book argues for their bounded nature in time and space rather than as transient constructs. It examines the evolutionary interactions among these systems and the significance of purposive behaviors in shaping cultural change. By analyzing well-documented behavioral tendencies, it illustrates proximate causation in the evolution of societies, offering a comprehensive synthesis of cultural evolution theories. This critical perspective challenges existing views and appeals to a diverse audience across multiple disciplines, including anthropology and evolutionary biology.