Agentic processes in cultural evolution: relevance to Anthropocene sustainability

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary science
• Sustainability studies
• Anthropocene research

Background:

• Humans exhibit persistent short-term resource exploitation behaviors and institutions, suggesting cultural and possibly genetic drivers toward unsustainability.
• Cultural evolution is shaped by both agentic (deliberate) and naturally selective (blind) forces, with agentic forces playing a significant role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the interplay of agentic and naturally selective forces in human cultural evolution.
• To explore how human creativity and deliberate innovation have driven unsustainability.
• To propose policy-making as a mechanism to mitigate existential threats from unsustainable practices.

Main Methods:

• Review of models illustrating positive feedback loops in cultural evolution.
• Analysis of historical human behavior from the Pleistocene to the Anthropocene.
• Examination of policy-making processes in response to large-scale threats like climate change.

Main Results:

• Agentic forces, including human creativity and deliberate diffusion of innovations, have been historically significant in driving development.
• These forces have contributed to unsustainable practices, particularly before planetary limits became critical.
• Policy interventions by political and diplomatic agents are necessary to steer away from detrimental natural selection and short-term goals.

Conclusions:

• Human evolution has favored short-term gains, leading to potential unsustainability.
• Agentic forces, while driving innovation, can also perpetuate unsustainable trajectories.
• Conscious, agentic policy-making is essential to navigate the challenges of the Anthropocene and ensure long-term survival.