Towards the Multistage Ecosocial Theory of Glottogenesis: Modern Evolutionary Concepts, Principles, and Extension of the Nomological Approach

Abstract

In recent decades, studies of the origin of language have seen shifts toward multistage concepts, explanations based on social and ecological patterns, and the integration of different levels of analysis (from behavioral practices to gene structures). The article develops these ideas. It aims to streamline and integrate evolutionary concepts and principles, suggest a special explanatory methodology. The models of gene-culture coevolution (Wilson et al.) and cultural drive (Laland et al.) are connected with the functionalist model of homeostatic dynamics and development (A. Stinchcombe). The conceptual core of the theory consists of the “zone of nearest evolutionary development,” “concern (need),” “providing structure,” “magic wand.” The formulated fundamental principles — a kind of "universal laws" of glottogenesis — draw on a rich intellectual tradition in biology and macrosociology. A priori rules fix the conditions of each new complexity stage of glottogenesis emergence. The main difficulty lies in justifying and explaining these stages. Moreover, the data obtained in archaeology, paleoanthropology, paleoclimatology, and paleogenetics are indirect. The extended variant of nomological explanation (C. Hempel) allows “on the industrial basis” to construct theoretical hypotheses and check them with the help of modern observations, comparisons, and experiments. Justified by this way, regularities connected logically with various indirect paleoscientific data can explain the main stages of early language evolution.