Taboo, the polynesian word for a forbidden practice, has become part of the English lexicon. Are taboos ignorant superstitions, do they contain adaptive wisdom, or are they a mixture of both? Joseph Henrich and his colleagues are addressing this question for food taboos and other cultural practices on the island of Fiji. Their work is an intoxicating blend of anthropology, psychology, and biology from a unified evolutionary perspective. What they have discovered for one kind of taboo on a single island says much about our general capacity to learn and transmit behavioral practices, which are often–but not always–adaptive.
Joseph Henrich is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Culture, Cognition, and Coevolution, Departments of Psychology and Economics, at the University of British Columbia. Visit his website to learn more about his work and his numerous academic publications.
Books by Joseph Henrich:
Why Humans Cooperate (with Natalie Henrich)
I personally come from a society that deeply appreciates the concept of taboos. Growing up, children are taught several taboos, which are essentially sets of beliefs, that these are believed to be so important and imperative in life.
When I look at most of the taboos that i was taught as a kid, i am amazed to recognize their true implications. Most of them, probably 90% have a factual implication. For instance kids are not supposed to sit on grinding stones, which i think is rather unhealthy…etc
Conclusively, i assert that taboos, probably like religion are a product of evolution and most of them were quite essential in the times they were invented. They are also still very applicable in many African societies.