Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 11:08:57 -0400
From: Dr I Price <PEWLEYFORT@compuserve.com>
Subject: re. Is memetics necessary (Alex Brown)
To: "INTERNET:memetics@mmu.ac.uk" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Alex asks
>2. A question really: (In the search for the Holy Grail of Cultural
Theory): I see no conflict between evolutionary theory and complex
systems theory and find them both useful in trying to model cultural
systems. However, I sometimes think that other people feel that these
two perspectives are in some way mutually exclusive. Does anybody out
there know enough about this to suggest what the reason might be for
thinking this? <
Like you I see no conflict. In fact, as I have tried to express in
publications, I think combining the two is essential if we are to get
beyond what you graphically describe as the natural history phase of
studying cultural evolution.
I suspect many people have tried to see in complexity an antidote to
theperceived neo- Darwinian message of evolution [and an antidote to the
missappropriation of that message by some]. Complexity becomes - in Denne=
ts
terms - the latest skyhook on the block.
If Price
http://members.aol.com/ifprice/ifresch.html
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