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The burden of proof for a cultural group selection account
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2016
Abstract
Richerson et al. establish cultural group selection as a plausible force in human social evolution. However, they do not demonstrate its causal precedence for any trait, let alone its “essentialness.” To do so, they must show that a particular group trait was caused by cultural transmission, and directly caused differences in group fitness.
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016
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Target article
Cultural group selection plays an essential role in explaining human cooperation: A sketch of the evidence
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Author response
Cultural group selection follows Darwin's classic syllogism for the operation of selection