This paper lays out an evolutionary theory for the cognitive foundations and cultural emergenceof the extravagant displays (e.g., ritual mutilation, animal sacrifice, and martyrdom) that have sooften tantalized social scientists, as well as more mundane actions that influence cultural...

This paper presents a simple mathematical model that shows how economic inequalitybetween social groups can arise and be maintained even when the only adaptive learningprocesses driving cultural evolution increases individual’s economic gains. The keyassumption is that human populations are...