Neuroscience, evolution and the sapient paradox: the factuality of value and of the sacred.
Colin Renfrew
Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences June 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2008.0010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Brain Humans Cognition Consciousness Religion and psychology Neurosciences Archaeology Culture Biological evolution |
| Key points | Argues that because the human genome and brain at birth may not have changed greatly over 60,000 years, recent behavioural changes such as concepts of value and the sacred require explanation. Proposes that neuronal mechanisms underlying these emergent patterns of behaviour are the key question, rather than genetic change. |
Abstract
The human genome, and hence the human brain at birth, may not have changed greatly over the past 60000 years. Yet many of the major behavioural changes that we associate with most human societies are very much more recent, some appearing with the sedentary revolution of some 10000 years ago. Among these are activities implying the emergence of powerful concepts of value and of the sacred. What then are the neuronal mechanisms that may underlie these consistent, significant (and emergent) patterns of behaviour?