MYTHS AS INSTRUCTIONS FROM ANCESTORS - THE EXAMPLE OF OEDIPUS

The growing interest in dual-inheritance models of human evolution has focused attention on culture as a means by which ancestors transmitte d acquired phenotypic characteristics to their descendants. The abilit y of cultural behaviors to be repeatedly transmitted from ancestors to descendants enables individuals to influence their descendant-leaving success over many more generations than are usually considered in mos t analyses of inclusive fitness. This essay proposes that traditional stories, or myths, can be seen as a way in which ancestors influence t heir descendant-leaving success by influencing the behavior of many ge nerations of their descendants. The myth of Oedipus is used as an exam ple of a traditional story aimed at promoting proper behavior and coop eration among kin. This interpretation of the Oedipus myth is contrast ed with Freudian and structuralist interpretations.