Humans currently satisfy the criteria for a major biological transition.

Evidence

The case I’ve presented in this book suggests that humans are undergoing what biologists call a major transition . Such transitions occur when less complex forms of life combine in some way to give rise to more complex forms. Examples include the transition from independently replicating molecules to replicating packages called chromosomes or, the transition from different kinds of simple cells to more complex cells in which these once-distinct simple cell types came to perform critical functions and become entirely mutually interdependent, such as the nucleus and mitochondria in our own cells. Our species’ dependence on cumulative culture for survival, on living in cooperative groups, on alloparenting and a division of labor and information, and on our communicative repertoires mean that humans have begun to satisfy all the requirements for a major biological transition. Thus, we are literally the beginnings of a new kind of animal. — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success, 1008

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Cultural evolution has been the central driver of human genetic evolution for eons. — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success: How Culture…, 1015; Humans now alter evolutionary heritages and can shape their own biological futures. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 188; Humans now create biological natures directly instead of waiting on natural evolution. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 187 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Humans now alter evolutionary heritages and can shape their own biological futures. #corroborates (0.92) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 188
• Humans now create biological natures directly instead of waiting on natural evolution. #corroborates (0.90) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 187
• Human recurrence comes from repeated assembly of cultural and genetic resources #qualifies (0.85)
• Humans have separated sex from procreation and now from fertilization. #expands (0.78)