Confrontational scavenging as a possible source for language and cooperation

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Derek Bickerton¹  Ers Szathmry² 

[1] Department of Linguistics, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, USA;Institute of Biology, Etvs University, Budapest, Hungary

关键词: Public Good Game;    Stable Coexistence;    Niche Construction Theory;    Human Cooperation;    Human Ancestor;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2148-11-261

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: BioMed Central

【 摘 要 】

The emergence of language and the high degree of cooperation found among humans seems to require more than a straightforward enhancement of primate traits. Some triggering episode unique to human ancestors was likely necessary. Here it is argued that confrontational scavenging was such an episode. Arguments for and against an established confrontational scavenging niche are discussed, as well as the probable effects of such a niche on language and co-operation. Finally, several possible directions for future research are suggested.

【 授权许可】

CC BY