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Biology, Mind and Culture - PHL249
This unit is devoted to examining the ways in which evolutionary biology can shed light on the nature of the human mind and culture. The unit begins with an introduction to evolutionary theory and a discussion of some foundational issues concerning its nature and structure. What is fitness? What is adaptationism? What is the unit of selection? A substantial part of the unit, however, involves investigating extensions of evolutionary theory to the explanation of human mind and culture. In particular, recent theories of cultural and cognitive evolution such as sociobiology, Evolutionary Psychology and gene-culture coevolution will be examined in detail. Issues, such as the ambitions and limitations of evolutionary explanations of human ethical and sexual behaviour will also be discussed. No background in biology or science is assumed.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| When Offered: | 2016 - Next offered in 2016 |
| Staff Contact(s): | Dr Rachael Brown |
| Prerequisites: |
12cp or admission to GDipArts |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCW(s): | PHIL249 |
| Unit Designation(s): | |
| Unit Type: | |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Philosophy Faculty of Arts |
Timetable Information
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