Is There Cultural Progress?

C. Leigh Anderson & Janet W. Looney, eds., Making Progress: Essays in Progress & Public Policy (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002), pp. 191-217.

29 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2015

See all articles by Richard O. Zerbe

Richard O. Zerbe

University of Washington - Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs; University of Washington - School of Law

Date Written: 2002

Abstract

The ability to cooperate is a vehicle of progress. This vehicle is enhanced by cultural maturity, a concept that can be understood in the context of psychological maturity. In this Chapter I note that psychological components of cooperation help to define cultural maturity. I establish a claim that has subsequently become popular that cooperation and culture can be a product of natural selection. The focus here is on the growth in the ability to empathize, and through this to cooperate, as a measure of cultural maturity.

Keywords: cultural progress, cultural diversity, cultural anthropology, cultural relativism, cooperative ability, empathy, cooperation

Suggested Citation

Zerbe, Richard O., Is There Cultural Progress? (2002). C. Leigh Anderson & Janet W. Looney, eds., Making Progress: Essays in Progress & Public Policy (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002), pp. 191-217., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2627320

Richard O. Zerbe (Contact Author)

University of Washington - Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs ( email )

Box 353055
Seattle, WA 98125
United States
206-616-5470 (Phone)

University of Washington - School of Law

William H. Gates Hall
Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98105-3020
United States

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