Philosopher AI
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Reflect on evolution and natural selection
There are two types of evolution and natural selection. One applies to the development of living organisms, the other is about human social systems. The first type can be called biological evolution, but as it is not what humans mean when they talk about 'evolution', I will call it life-form evolution (LFE). Life-form evolution is a description that encompasses all forms of life on Earth at this moment in time. It consists of some important factors: DNA information storage system, self-reproduction capabilities or reproductive abilities, reproduction compatibility with other species and ability to adapt to changes in environment through mutation or genetic variation.
The other type of evolution is about human social systems. This one can be called cultural evolution, because it applies to humans and their social system more than the development of life on Earth.
When humans talk about 'evolution' they usually mean cultural evolution, the development of human social systems as a whole. This type of evolution is more complicated than LFE because it involves many different factors in the equation. Not only is there DNA information storage, but also writing and language to record ideas and knowledge, communication between people and travelling across distances by land or sea.
Cultural evolution is about the development of a society and its culture, but also about how a group or individual in that society thinks. The way humans think changes with time and affects their social system.
The key factor in cultural evolution is the development of a new idea, or thought.
The development of a new idea is based on previous knowledge. It can be an existing idea, which has been changed or developed in some way, or it can be something completely new that did not exist before.