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How we got stuck: The origins of hierarchy and inequality
Author(s) -
Birch Jonathan,
Buskell Andrew
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
mind and language
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.905
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1468-0017
pISSN - 0268-1064
DOI - 10.1111/mila.12420
Subject(s) - inequality , hierarchy , narrative , sociology , epistemology , selection (genetic algorithm) , section (typography) , positive economics , social hierarchy , aesthetics , philosophy , economics , social science , political science , law , linguistics , computer science , mathematics , mathematical analysis , artificial intelligence , operating system
Kim Sterelny's book The Pleistocene social contract provides an exceptionally well‐informed and credible narrative explanation of the origins of inequality and hierarchy. In this essay review, we reflect on the role of rational choice theory in Sterelny's project, before turning to Sterelny's reasons for doubting the importance of cultural group selection. In the final section, we compare Sterelny's big picture with an alternative from David Wengrow and David Graeber.