In this blog post, we will examine, from an evolutionary perspective, how the cognitive genes and memes unique to humans interact to drive the formation and development of civilization.

Why We Must Interpret the Origins of Civilization from an Evolutionary Perspective

Over a long period of time, humanity has explored the origins of its own civilization and proposed various compelling answers. Most of these answers have positioned humans as the agents of civilization, explaining how humans have created it. However, no academic discipline has succeeded in providing a universal answer to the origins of all human civilizations worldwide. In particular, interpretive approaches developed within Western and East Asian civilizations—such as sociology and political science—have had limitations in comprehensively explaining the causal relationships underlying all civilizations worldwide. To overcome these limitations and find answers to how diverse human civilizations could emerge globally and why only humans were capable of achieving civilization, we must examine the common characteristics shared by humanity as well as the unique traits that distinguish humans from animal societies. I seek to identify these characteristics in the biological traits of the human species and, from an evolutionary perspective, explain the causal relationships underlying the question: “How was it that only humans were able to develop global civilizations?”

The Expression of Cognitive Genes and the Dawn of Human Civilization

Humans lacked the superior mobility or evasion skills found in other animals and were physically weaker than other animals of similar size. In fact, early humans living as hunter-gatherers were limited to scavenging the leftovers of carnivorous animals due to their physical weakness, and their carcasses were often stolen by hyenas and vultures. Ultimately, humans found themselves in a situation so disadvantageous for survival that they had to crack open bones to extract marrow. However, humans possessed highly evolved cognitive genes that enabled them to demonstrate creativity, comprehension, and reasoning abilities surpassing those of other animals. These cognitive genes served as a decisive factor in the formation of civilization. Through these cognitive genes, humans became capable of utilizing other species, inanimate objects, and even abstract concepts necessary for survival.
To cite a few examples, humans were able to begin a settled lifestyle by using nearby trees and stones to make clothing and dwellings, and they developed agriculture and animal husbandry—raising livestock and managing seeds—to increase productivity and ensure a stable food supply. Furthermore, through abstract concepts such as animism, humans strengthened the bonds within their groups. These activities represent the early stages of human society and are essential conditions for the emergence of civilization. At this point, human behavior was largely focused on survival.

Civilization and Memes: A Collective Emergence Brought About by Cognitive Genes

However, as civilization continued to develop, humans’ higher cognitive genes began to produce outcomes that extended beyond the scope of mere survival. Cognitive abilities such as creativity were exercised without limit, leading humans to engage in activities—such as ideologies and philosophies—that were not directly linked to survival. The expression of these cognitive genes gave rise to memes, cultural replicators, which drove the development of human civilization.
While some scholars argue that cognitive genes and memes interacted and co-evolved, I hold a different view. The claim that memes promote the development of cognitive genes brings to mind a form of the use-it-or-lose-it theory; however, since evolution is the result of random mutations and natural selection, it is difficult to view memes as promoting the evolution of cognitive genes.
Therefore, memes can be considered byproducts resulting from the excessive expression of cognitive genes.
Although memes came into existence, for them to persist, their replicability must be high, and this replication can be equated with learning. Of course, other animals also possess learning abilities, but humans have reached a level where they mimic each other’s behaviors even when it is unrelated to survival. As hosts with an exceptional ability to replicate memes, humans provided the environment in which memes could emerge. Memes continuously diversified and underwent mutations, creating new memes, and through this process, civilization developed. Money is a prime example of such a meme; while it has no direct connection to human survival, it has played a crucial role in creating concepts like capitalism and shaping human civilization.

Memes as the Agents of Civilization

Some may argue that memes are merely fragments of civilization and that it is unreasonable to explain the entirety of civilization through memes. However, upon analyzing the major components of civilization, it becomes clear that memes are not merely elements but the agents of civilization. When interpreting complex events, identifying the beneficiaries facilitates analysis. So, who are the beneficiaries of human civilization?
Most aspects of material and spiritual civilization ensure human survival. For example, in situations of conflict within a group, behavior that pursues survival through cooperation can be explained as an effort to uphold the group’s ideology, which ultimately serves to ensure the survival of the meme. Furthermore, there are instances where humans engage in behaviors detrimental to survival, such as martyrdom or suicide. While these are choices unfavorable to human survival, they can be understood from the perspective of the meme. For instance, if someone opposed to capitalism decides to commit suicide, the meme of capitalism may hinder that individual’s replication, but the meme’s influence on society persists. In this way, memes are sometimes effective in explaining behaviors unrelated to human survival.

To understand civilization, one must understand memes

The driving force that enabled humans, unlike other animals, to build a global civilization is that cognitive genes gave birth to memes. Humans are the agents that generate and replicate memes, but at the same time, their lifestyles and behaviors are influenced by memes. Civilization is like an ecosystem composed of diverse memes, and the development of civilization can be described as the evolution of memes. To understand civilization, one must analyze the evolution and extinction of memes, just as one would analyze an ecosystem. By doing so, we can approach the question, “How will future civilizations change?” through the lens of “How will memes and genes be selected, undergo mutations, and evolve in the future?” This allows for a more objective and concise analysis. Analyzing memes is, in fact, the most accurate method for interpreting the origins of civilization.