Confrontational scavenging as a possible source for language and cooperation

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. A...

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Published inBMC evolutionary biology Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 261
Main Authors Bickerton, Derek, Szathmáry, Eörs
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BioMed Central Ltd 20.09.2011
BioMed Central
BMC
Subjects
Agonistic Behavior - physiology
Appetitive Behavior - physiology
Biological Evolution
Cooperative Behavior
Humans
Language
Models, Biological
Physiological aspects
Primates
Scavengers (Zoology)
Tool Use Behavior - physiology
Hungary
United States
Germany
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Summary: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.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:1471-2148
1471-2148
DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-11-261