A theory limited in scope and evidence
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Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Evidence-based Knowledge Synthesis and Hypothesis Validation: Navigating Biomedical Knowledge Bases via Explainable AI and Agentic Systems
Published on: June 13, 2025
Elena Miu1, Robert Boyd1, Peter J Richerson2
1School of Human Evolution and Social Change and Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ85287. emiu1@asu.edu Robert.Boyd.1@asu.edu thomas.j.h.morgan@asu.edu.
Abstract:
What promised to be a refreshing addition to cumulative cultural evolution, by moving the focus from cultural transmission to technological innovation, falls flat through a lack of thoroughness, explanatory power, and data. A comprehensive theory of cumulative cultural change must carefully integrate all existing evidence in a cohesive multi-level account. We argue that the manuscript fails to do so convincingly.
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