Human beings do not live in nature, they live in culture. Contrary to biological evolution, which is based on genetic inheritance, cultural change is transmitted by instruction. Simple beginnings of culture have been ...Human beings do not live in nature, they live in culture. Contrary to biological evolution, which is based on genetic inheritance, cultural change is transmitted by instruction. Simple beginnings of culture have been observed in various animals. However, the much advanced human culture became possible by its transmission by language, and by its being cumulative. The concept of cultural change as a progressive process, popular by 18th and 19th centuries thinkers, is nowadays rejected, and the uniqueness of each culture stressed. Although, there are some similarities between biological evolution and cultural change, important differences between these processes are emphasized. The rapid rate of cultural change （especially its technological aspect）, as compared to the rate of biological evolution, is noted. In addition, some cultural changes led to new phenomena, which in a time of crisis can be annulled. The possible consequences of the different rate of these two processes for humans as individuals, and for their societies are discussed.展开更多
Due to lack of appreciation of the complexities of the interactions between nature and nurture, claims for the rapid improvements in medical care following the human genome project have been exaggerated. Although some...Due to lack of appreciation of the complexities of the interactions between nature and nurture, claims for the rapid improvements in medical care following the human genome project have been exaggerated. Although some progress has been made in certain fields, the full scope of genomic medicine may not be realised for many years.展开更多
文摘Human beings do not live in nature, they live in culture. Contrary to biological evolution, which is based on genetic inheritance, cultural change is transmitted by instruction. Simple beginnings of culture have been observed in various animals. However, the much advanced human culture became possible by its transmission by language, and by its being cumulative. The concept of cultural change as a progressive process, popular by 18th and 19th centuries thinkers, is nowadays rejected, and the uniqueness of each culture stressed. Although, there are some similarities between biological evolution and cultural change, important differences between these processes are emphasized. The rapid rate of cultural change （especially its technological aspect）, as compared to the rate of biological evolution, is noted. In addition, some cultural changes led to new phenomena, which in a time of crisis can be annulled. The possible consequences of the different rate of these two processes for humans as individuals, and for their societies are discussed.
文摘Due to lack of appreciation of the complexities of the interactions between nature and nurture, claims for the rapid improvements in medical care following the human genome project have been exaggerated. Although some progress has been made in certain fields, the full scope of genomic medicine may not be realised for many years.
