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Viewpoint: The economics of hunter‐gatherer societies and the evolution of human characteristics

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  • Arthur J. Robson
  • Hillard S. Kaplan

Abstract

. We argue for attention to the evolutionary origins of economic behaviour. Going beyond this, we argue that the economy of hunting and gathering was the context in which evolution shaped human characteristics that underlie modern economic behaviour. We first reconsider the basic biological question of why aging occurs at all. We then illustrate the usefulness of considering foraging economics by asking why it is biologically advantageous for humans to live long after their reproductive career is over. Further, we argue that foraging economics would have led to the simultaneous exaggeration of intelligence and of longevity that is characteristic of humans. JEL classification: A12, J10 L’économie des sociétés de chasseurs‐cueilleurs et l’évolution des traits humains. Les auteurs suggèrent qu’on doit porter plus d’attention aux origines évolutionnaires du comportement économique. Poussant un pas plus loin, ils suggèrent que l’économie des chasseurs‐cueilleurs a été le contexte où l’évolution a conformé les traits humains qui sous‐tendent le comportement économique moderne. D’abord, ils réexaminent la question biologique de base à savoir pourquoi il y a vieillissement. Ensuite, ils illustrent l’utilité d’une économie des activités de cueillette, chasse et engrangement en posant la question à savoir pourquoi il est biologiquement avantageux pour les humains de bien vivre après que leur période de reproduction active est terminée. Finalement, ils suggèrent que ce type d’économie aurait entraîné simultanément une surestimation de l’intelligence et de la longévité– deux traits des humains.

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  • Arthur J. Robson & Hillard S. Kaplan, 2006. "Viewpoint: The economics of hunter‐gatherer societies and the evolution of human characteristics," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(2), pages 375-398, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:39:y:2006:i:2:p:375-398
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0008-4085.2006.00351.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grossman, Michael, 1972. "On the Concept of Health Capital and the Demand for Health," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 80(2), pages 223-255, March-Apr.
    2. Arthur J. Robson & Hillard S. Kaplan, 2003. "The Evolution of Human Life Expectancy and Intelligence in Hunter-Gatherer Economies," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(1), pages 150-169, March.
    3. Robson, Arthur J., 1996. "The Evolution of Attitudes to Risk: Lottery Tickets and Relative Wealth," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 190-207, June.
    4. Ehrlich, Isaac & Chuma, Hiroyuki, 1990. "A Model of the Demand for Longevity and the Value of Life Extension," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(4), pages 761-782, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. James A. Brander, 2007. "Viewpoint: Sustainability: Malthus revisited?," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(1), pages 1-38, February.
    2. Jacob L. Weisdorf, 2007. "Made for Toil: Natural selection at the dawn of agriculture," PSE Working Papers halshs-00587788, HAL.
    3. Francesconi, Marco & Ghiglino, Christian & Perry, Motty, 2009. "On the Origin of the Family," IZA Discussion Papers 4637, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Francesconi, Marco & Ghiglino, Christian & Perry, Motty, 2016. "An evolutionary theory of monogamy," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 605-628.
    5. Dow, Gregory K. & Reed, Clyde G., 2011. "Stagnation and innovation before agriculture," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 77(3), pages 339-350, March.

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    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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