The Unique Open-Endedness of Human Culture

New research suggests human culture’s limitless adaptability, rather than mere accumulation, sets it apart from animal traditions, explaining humanity's extraordinary dominance.

A Revolutionary Theory in Anthropology

Human culture is a remarkable, complex phenomenon, often seen as a defining feature that sets humans apart from other species. Unlike animal cultures, which are limited in scope and depth, human culture accumulates, adapts, and continually evolves, empowering our species to dominate the planet. But what truly distinguishes human culture? Recent research¹ by evolutionary anthropologist Thomas Morgan at Arizona State University proposes a groundbreaking idea: that "open-endedness" in human culture—not mere accumulation—may be the key to our unique adaptability.