ABSTRACT
Evolutionary Cultural Ecology (ECE) is a new cultural theory based largely on recent transdisciplinary studies in evolutionary theory and in the structure and function of ecosystems. 1 Therefore it is partially rooted in natural science, where it is related, for example, to the powerful and nonconformist thinking of the biologist Jakob von Uexküll (1864–1944). But there are important roots in the humanities, too. For instance, new research allowing a fuller understanding of the mind, anthropological theory, and the ecological philosophy of Arne Naess (*1912) have had a strong influence on ECE; 2 but the most important source for its ideas is the creative work of Gregory Bateson (1904–1980), especially his groundbreaking research on an “ecology of mind.” Therefore, although actually developed in Europe, ECE bears heavily on European and American transdisciplinary research. 3 It is no simple refinement, however, of other conceptions calling themselves “Cultural Ecology” or similar developments such as Julian H. Steward’s influential theory of cultural adaptation. 4
