Proximate-ultimate distinction and its relation to the emergence of linguistic structure
dc.contributor.advisor
Kirby, Simon
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dc.contributor.author
Doney, Tom
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dc.date.accessioned
2014-03-26T15:32:37Z
dc.date.available
2014-03-26T15:32:37Z
dc.date.issued
2013
dc.description.abstract
Ernst Mayr's Proximate-Ultimate distinction has come under scrutiny in recent years for its supposed failure to account for reciprocal evolutionary processes such as niche-construction and intersexual selection. This article defends Mayr's distinction on the grounds that these reciprocal processes can easily be explained within the explanatory framework. It then goes on to asses the claims of certain authors such as Smith and Kirby (2008) who's conclusions would suggest that the "ultimate" explanation for the emergence of linguistic structure lies within cultural evolution. If verified, this would break the monopoly of natural selection as the only known process leading to "the appearance of complex design" in the natural world.
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/8601
dc.language.iso
en
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
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dc.subject
Proximate-Ultimate
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dc.subject
Iterated Learning
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dc.subject
Linguistic Structure
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dc.subject
Evolution
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dc.title
Proximate-ultimate distinction and its relation to the emergence of linguistic structure
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dc.title.alternative
The proximate-ultimate distinction and its relation to the emergence of linguistic structure
dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Masters
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dc.type.qualificationname
MSc Master of Science
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dcterms.accessRights
RESTRICTED ACCESS
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