Jim Rutt might define "cultural evolution" as the dynamic process through which human cultures transform over time, driven by the propagation, mutation, and competition of cultural traits, ideas, behaviors, and artifacts. He would emphasize that unlike biological evolution, which operates through genetic inheritance and natural selection, cultural evolution is propelled by learning, imitation, and innovation within and across societies. Cultural evolution sustains human adaptability and societal complexity, enabling rapid and diverse responses to environmental and social challenges. Fundamentally, it encapsulates the cumulative nature of cultural knowledge and practices, with each generation modifying and expanding upon the cultural repertoire handed down by its predecessors.

See also: evolution, emergence, causality, crypto, game theory