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Encephalization and division of labor by early humans

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Abstract

We draw on Ricardian comparative advantage between distinct persons to map out the division of labor among proto-humans in a village some 1.7 million years ago. A person specialized in maintaining a cooking fire in the village is of particular interest (Ofek, Second nature, economic origins of human evolution, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2001). We are also interested in modeling hunting by village males in teams. The large issue is whether and how specialization (division of labor) and interpersonal trade might have driven brain-expansion in early humans. We emphasize the need for early humans to develop the capacity to see themselves in others’ shoes (other-regardingness) in order for regularized trading to follow division of labor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

    John M. Hartwick

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  1. John M. Hartwick
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Correspondence to John M. Hartwick.

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Hartwick, J.M. Encephalization and division of labor by early humans. J Bioecon 12, 77–100 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-010-9086-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10818-010-9086-5

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