Overview: Modern ecological crises can be seen as resulting from human social and technological evolution. However, research on human evolution is not sufficiently developed to address global environmental issues or our species’ future on Earth. Theories of human evolution are not seen as relevant or appropriate for application. But an emerging social synthesis of human evolution, focused on the evolution of culture and the importance of human groups makes modern these problems more tractable. Building on this social synthesis, I introduce an theory of human evolution which provides testable predictions, and opens novel opportunities for application. I show how this theory can be used to address our current global ecological crises more effectively. I review open questions and ethical issues involved in an applied science of human evolution. I propose a global research agenda of applied cultural evolution for beneficial social change and issue an urgent call for help in developing applied evolutionary research for addressing human sustainability on our finite planet.

Watch on Zoom: https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/j/61850441750

Date: Apr 8, 2024

Time: 03:00 PM – 04:30 PM (Local Time Germany)

More info: https://www.shh.mpg.de/2391910/human-evolution-of-in-and-beyond-the-anthropocene