Culture May Be Encoded in DNA -- Wired.com
"We can think about both birdsong and human culture -- especially language but including other aspects of human culture, like music, cuisine, dance styles, rituals, technological achievements, clothing styles, pottery decoration and a host of others -- in similar terms," he said. These culturally-transmitted systems must all pass through the filter of biology. "Look at all the different human cultures," said Mitra. "They're different, but they're all within certain constraints, so those differences aren't genetic. But now compare with the chimp culture -- there are key differences. The possibilities between those cultures are constrained by biology."
"We can think about both birdsong and human culture -- especially language but including other aspects of human culture, like music, cuisine, dance styles, rituals, technological achievements, clothing styles, pottery decoration and a host of others -- in similar terms," he said. These culturally-transmitted systems must all pass through the filter of biology. "Look at all the different human cultures," said Mitra. "They're different, but they're all within certain constraints, so those differences aren't genetic. But now compare with the chimp culture -- there are key differences. The possibilities between those cultures are constrained by biology."
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