The evolutionary roots of human hyper-cognition

Herbert Gintis

Journal of Bioeconomics, 2013, vol. 15, issue 1, 83-89

Abstract: While Professor Pagano’s general argument is attractive and may be valid, the Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis that he employs is extremely implausible from a sociobiological perspective. It posits the evolution of massive social inefficiencies in hominin societies over a long period during which there was doubtless severe competition among hominin groups for the same large animal scavenging/hunting niche. I propose an alternative to this part of Pagano’s argument that renders his overall theory more plausible. In this alternative, human hyper-cognition is a social good because it supplies powerful and flexible group leadership, which was likely a key element in the evolution of hominin hyper-cognition. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2013

Keywords: Human evolution; Lethal weapons; Dominance hierarchy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10818-012-9140-6

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