Veblen's Instinct of Workmanship pg 18-25

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This section continues some background thinking and foundational challenges to understanding the changing nature of human institutions and human material means and ends. Veblen makes the point first that human physical nature has not altered very much in the history of the species whereas the spiritual and cultural nature of the species has changed dramatically in the same time period.  This is still an accepted fact of science today[1].  Veblen puts it that the ways and means of life, both the material and immaterial change often due to changes in the environment.  Veblen is quick to point out that these changes in cultural institutions don’t “afford successively readier, surer or more facile ways and means” (pg 19).

 Veblen then points to his reference to various stages of human development with his focus on savagery.  The savagery phase is one that may be more or less advanced and that can better adapt to modern material conditions in the economy.  

 

There is then discussion of Mendellian inheritance. Veblen writes that we would expect a mixing of human races over time and that this creates many hybrids and that these hybrids adapt to their environment over time.  He writes that for many peoples they can adapt to changing circumstances and find the right path for success and survival.  There are a few groups where this does not happen.  Here, Veblen introduces his phrasing “imbecile institutions”.  He actually states that people have too often adapted these imbecile institutions leading to their downfall rather than vice versa.  There will much to observe on this issue of adaptation and imbecile institutions to come. 


[1] https://www.edge.org/conversation/freeman_dyson-biological-and-cultural-evolution

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