Unknown boundaries : exploring human evolutionary studies : an inaugural lecture given in the University of Cambridge, 1 February 2005

The last twenty years have seen a resurgence of interest in human evolution in many aspects. A distinction can be made between 'narrow' (general acceptance that human evolution occurred, historically) and 'broad' (evolutionary ideas that stretch much further into all aspects of humanity, past and present) human evolution. The broad perspective is beginning to make its presence felt, for example, through the developments in evolutionary genetics, evolutionary psychology and behavioural ecology. There must, therefore, be, among the variety of human adaptations, natures and behaviours, phenomena which are not susceptible to an evolutionary analysis, which are beyond the bounds of evolution. The problem is, though, that we do not really know where that boundary lies. Here, the limits of human evolution are explored, using two approaches - first, finding where humans 'fit' the expectations of evolutionary principles; and second, applying evolutionary methods to particular human contexts, whilst looking for an evolutionary signal. The Past Twenty Years Have Seen A Resurgence Of Interest In Human Evolution In Many Aspects. A Distinction Can Be Made Between 'narrow' (general Acceptance That Human Evolution Occurred, Historically) And 'broad' (evolutionary Ideas That Stretch Much Further Into All Aspects Of Humanity, Past And Present) Human Evolution. The Broad Perspective Is Beginning To Make Its Presence Felt, For Example, Through The Developments In Evolutionary Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology And Behavioural Ecology. There Must, Therefore Be, Among The Variety Of Human Adaptations, Natures And Behaviours, Phenomena Which Are Not Susceptible To An Evolutionary Analysis, Which Are Beyond The Bounds Of Evolution. The Problem Is, However, That We Do Not Really Know Where That Boundary Lies. Here, The Limits Of Human Evolution Are Explored By Using Two Approaches: First, Finding Where Humans 'fit' The Expectations Of Evolutionary Principles; And Second, Applying Evolutionary Methods To Particular Human Contexts, While Looking For An Evolutionary Signal. By Following This Approach Not Only Will The Scope And Limits Of Evolution Be Mapped, But Evolution Will Return As The Main Framework For Anthropology.--jacket. R.a. Foley. An Inaugural Lecture Given In The University Of Cambridge, 1 February 2005. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 38-42). The last twenty years have seen a resurgence of interest in human evolution. A distinction can be made between 'narrow' and 'broad' human evolution and is discussed here using two different approaches: finding where humans 'fit' the expectations of evolutiionary principles; and by applying evolutionary methods to particular human contexts Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 unknown boundaries: exploring human evolutionary studies......Page 7 references......Page 44 It is almost exactly one hundred years - 1904, to be precise - since the University of Cambridge established a Board of Anthropology.