A paper on memetic evolution loosely connected to the
presentation 'Memetics, a conceptual framework for cultural
evolution' at the satilite symposium The Evolution of Complexity -
, of
EINSTEIN meets MAGRITTE in
Brussels at the Free University on June 2 1995.
Hans-Cees Speel [1] , Delft, 12 january 1996
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for
the selective memetic evolution of strategies belonging to large
organizations. The framework was designed as a basis for further
research on policy formation processes. This research hopes to
enhance our understanding of such processes, ultimately in order
to design more efficient policy processes. This framework draws
on analogies between memetic and genetic evolutionary processes,
put forward by Dawkins ( 1974 ; 1989 ) and developed by David Hull
( 1980 ; 1988a , b ).
The first and major part of this essay is devoted to the
introduction and analysis of the analogy between memes and genes,
with an emphasis on the selective context in which the evolution
takes place. The second part is a preliminary view on how memetic
concepts can be used to analyze the selective evolution of
strategies.
OUTLINE
THE MEME-GENE ANALOGY AND THE SELECTIVE CONTEXT
REPLICATORS AND REPLICATION IN A SELECTIVE CONTEXT
MEMEPOOL VERSUS GENEPOOL
SELECTIVE EVENTS AND MEMES
THE MEME-GENE ANALOGY
AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY EVOLVING
CONCLUSION
FOOTNOTES
ENDNOTES
REFERENCES
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