Distinctively Human? Meaning‐making and World Shaping as Core Processes of the Human Niche

Abstract

Part of the task in studying human evolution is developing a deep understanding of what we share, and do not share, with other life, as a mammal, a primate, a hominin, and as members of the genus Homo. A key aspect of this last facet is gained via the examination of the genus Homo across the Pleistocene. By at least the later Pleistocene members of the genus Homo began to habitually insert shared meaning into and onto their world forming one of the bases of contemporary human abilities to develop a distinctive human niche and human culture. Meaning‐laden cultural dynamics constitute the core of a ubiquitous semiotic ecosystem, which in turn structures the architecture of the complex niches and niche construction processes that characterize humanity today. Here, I offer a summary of Pleistocene evolution of the genus Homo and an argument for when and how that extensive and distinctive capacities for shared meaning‐making and a particularly dynamic niche construction emerged.

Experiencing the World as the Evolved Image of God: Religion in the Context of Science

“…) and extensive ratcheting of processes and productions, both technological and cognitive/social. (Fuentes 2023) In addition to what Fuentes mentions here, the actual construction of religious sites, buildings, and other material manifestations of the religious realm contribute to the experience of the sacred and point beyond the present immediate reality and toward instances of ultimacy. Thus, religion is never something merely in the mind of believers but is manifest in material forms that reinforce both the belief and the experiences of the sacred, as well as becoming integrated into and making possible specific practices of orientation.…”

“…What does the above understanding of religion entail for the understanding of the distinctiveness of humanity? Agustín Fuentes has pointed to how "humans are among the most significant forces affecting ecosystems and all other life on this planet" and that the "extensive and distinctive capacities for meaning-making and world-shaping (or better put, niche construction)" are among the significant capacities on the basis of which we have transformed and continue to transform the planet (Fuentes 2023).…”

“…The fundamental features of orientation and transformation, which have been suggested as crucial to religious practices, are closely linked to the evolved human "human capacity to move between the reality of 'what is' and the possibilities of 'what could be,' socially, psychologically and technologically" (Fuentes 2023). Thus, the transformative powers, which presently are not only positive, given climate change and the Anthropocene condition of the planet, signify a distinctive evolutionary context for the genus Homo (humans), argues Fuentes.…”

“…Against this backdrop, human distinctiveness can be defined in a way that places religion in the area of what makes humans different from other animals. Fuentes claims that "while it is clear that many other animals have complex societies, and cultures, … it is critical to place human societies, and human culture, in an appropriate context" (Fuentes 2023). Accordingly, the socio-cultural realm of experience may be crucial to understand human distinctiveness, although we also need to add that this realm also contributes the means for getting access to and shaping our engagement with the "inner, psychological" realm as well as understanding what we can call mystical or spiritual experiences.…”

“…However, specific worldviews (ideologies), narratives, and beliefs are also, in a more specified sense, essential to religion and are crucial in the practices that refer the individual and the community to what they may consider ultimate. Thus, teaching, which is important in human culture generally for disseminating knowledge (Fuentes 2019;Henrich 2015;Laland 2017;Stout and Hecht 2017;Tomasello 2014), takes on a special role in religion. It is also part of human distinctiveness insofar as such teachings refers and engage what humans consider ultimate.…”