In physical evolution acquired traits cannot be passed on genetically to the next generation. The mechanisms for passing on biological characteristics to descendants are located in the genetics of the reproductive systems of organisms; so only changes in the genetic structures of the reproductive system are passed on. But in the social environment, characteristics and traits are found not in the bodies of organisms but in the mental conceptual structures. The mechanisms for passing on learned skills and acquired traits are found in the use of mirror neurons and communication - we looked at both of these in our discussion on the evolution of morality.
We see these types of social and cognitive evolutionary developments in bird populations, herding populations, predatory populations. The young are born with a set of biological characteristics and then acquire another set of cognitive characteristics from other members of the group. Young who are not taught the various skills of their group, will not learn them and will be unable to use them.
However, when social patterns function properly, acquired cognitive skills are passed on to any individuals who are observant, receptive and imitative, including young who then carry the skills into a new generation. These cognitive attributes and qualities, operating in the many diverse social environments, responding to the various pressures that benefit some attributes or hinder others, have evolved over time in different ways and to different degrees in different populations and species.
Social evolution, though it provides advantages to populations in the physical environment and emerged out of physiological capabilities, is not contingent on biological evolution. Social evolution has begun a secondary evolutionary track, where learned and acquired traits are passed on not only to descendants, but to other individuals in the community who may or may not even be genetically related.
The social and cognitive skills being shared among members of a population are not static but evolve in much the same way that physiology evolves. Some ideas, cognitive skills, and ways of interacting socially thrive and propagate among many individuals, while others don’t seem to bring any benefits and are discarded or forgotten. Just as the physical body encodes units of information in genes that are passed on from parent to offspring, social and cognitive skills can be passed on through communication, mimicry, and modeling. But unlike physical evolution these may be passed from any member of the community to any others.
And remember that social evolutionary changes are not directly tied to physical or biological benefits as such. Social traits, characteristics, predispositions, and attributes need only generate social benefits to be successful in the social environment. Beneficial traits are evolutionarily advantaged and will propagate in the population, just as beneficial genes, which give biological advantages, will survive in more individuals in a population and gain dominance in the gene pool.
Social evolution is much more diverse than its biological counterpart. It is also more readily adaptable and can be consciously and deliberately manipulated and modified. Radical changes can be introduced and adopted – or abandoned – in a single generation. It is a more dynamic process making possible a wider range of adaptations at a much more rapid rate of change.
So what happens when we start racing toward our future?
No comments:
Post a Comment