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Biological markets, cooperation, and the evolution of morality

Witteveen, Joeri (2019) Biological markets, cooperation, and the evolution of morality. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. ISSN 1464-3537

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Abstract

Biological market theory has in recent years become an important part of the social evolutionist’s toolkit. This article discusses the explanatory potential and pitfalls of biological market theory in the context of big picture accounts of the evolution of human cooperation and morality. I begin by assessing an influential account that presents biological market dynamics as a key driver of the evolution of fairness norms in humans. I argue that this account is problematic for theoretical, empirical, and conceptual reasons. After mapping the evidential and explanatory limits of biological market theory, I suggest that it can nevertheless fill a lacuna in an alternative account of hominin evolution. Trade on a biological marketplace can help explain why norm-based cooperation did not break down when our late-Pleistocene ancestors entered new, challenging social and economic environments.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Witteveen, Joerij.wit@me.com0000-0003-1291-9156
Keywords: Biological market theory; cooperation; mutualism; social evolution; evolution of morality; reputation; moral norms; reciprocation crisis
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Anthropology
Specific Sciences > Archaeology
Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Economics
General Issues > Ethical Issues
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Dr. Joeri Witteveen
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2019 14:34
Last Modified: 25 May 2019 17:57
Item ID: 15748
Journal or Publication Title: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Anthropology
Specific Sciences > Archaeology
Specific Sciences > Psychology > Evolutionary Psychology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Specific Sciences > Economics
General Issues > Ethical Issues
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Date: 2019
ISSN: 1464-3537
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15748

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