Lunchtime Discussion Group - How Did Human Culture Evolve?

Dine and Discuss in a friendly environment!

Join our popular Lunchtime Discussion Group for an afternoon of friendly conversation whilst dining at a local restaurant.

This month we'll be considering the question of How Did Human Culture Evolve?

It is generally accepted that culture is central to human social life, and that cumulative human culture forms the bedrock of human social development. Over the years there have been many theories of how human culture developed, including historical, sociological, complex systems, symbolic and structural.

In recent years, evolutionary biologists have proposed theories that explain human culture as an essentially evolutionary adaption. This is a departure from the past that emphasises the natural and evolutionary origins of human culture.

We'll be discussing the implications of the idea that human culture evolved along with our other capabilities, and what this means for our understanding of society today.

There will be a briefing paper available before the meeting at Reading Humanists: How Did Culture Evolve?

About Discussion Group

Our discussions can cover any socially relevant issue. Participants decide on the topics for discussion based on their interests. From evolution to anthropology, from economics to psychology, from the environment to . . . anything that catches your interest.

If you want to contribute, we’d ask you to prepare something that has fired up your imagination. Contributions might be sharing ideas from a book or article you’ve read, or simply an idea that you’ve researched. Individuals will submit a written summary of their idea before the meal.

On the day, the group will question, discuss and assess the implications. If you want to come along to listen and comment, that’s fine too. The aim is to engage a group of like-minded people who enjoy understanding and challenging each other’s ideas.