Explaining Lineage Histories

Abstract

We work in a historical science and the narrative patterns of life’s long-term history are as important as theories invoked to explain the regularities. These patterns emerge partly by operation of the theory through time, but also in large measure from the influence of contingent events, some of great magnitude, that have impacted the history of life. The fascination of scientific history (as opposed to mere description of events in temporal sequence) lies in its melding of general theory with recognition of the irreducible importance of particular events that are largely unpredictable (at least from the theory). (Gould 1995a:7–8)

Biologists interested in culture are often struck by the absence of viable general theories in the social sciences. All of biology is united by the theory of biological evolution. Perhaps progress in the social sciences is impeded because there is no general theory of cultural evolution. (Sober 1992:30)