Theory of Anthropology - Essay Example

This theory is supported by arguments based on environmental determinism. In essence, the thesis focuses on the hominids' adoption of bipedalism caused by vegetation drying up because of adverse environmental conditions such as global warming and other forces within the atmosphere.

Parts of this theory could be understood within the framework of the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest. To survive the harsh conditions engendered by the drying up of vegetation, it became necessary for the hominids to change from their old forms of posture to bipedalism to enhance mobility and maximize the utility of a new environment without forests (Strickberger 474). Scrutiny of the savanna-based theories reveals certain inconsistencies, affirming that the early kinds of hominids were essentially diverse in how they mingled with the environment. There is no sufficient proof that shows the actual point of transformation between the posture of the hominids. The fact of matter shows that some of the hominids showed signs of having acquired erect posture and bipedal movements even before their activities in the savannah kinds of existence.

Another critical point that has been used to lay stress on the argument's deficiencies could be seen in the lack of evidence of hominids that lived in the forests. The joint statement shows that the various aspects that attempt to connect the transition of posture among the hominids must explain how hominids lost their past stance and the causal relations between the changes in the environment and the acquired posture conditions described in the context of these changes. Any mismatch between the causal factors and the eventual outcome implies some significant weaknesses in the logic of the theory. It would mean that alternative forces other than the environmental changes caused the adoption of bipedal postures for the hominids.

The postural feeding hypothesis is the second hypothesis that has attempted to explain the origin of bipedal hominids. According to this hypothesis, some hominids, such as chimpanzees, were only bipedal during eating moments. Kevin Hunt remains one of the well-known proponents of this hypothesis. This hypothesis provides that many of the animals that conformed to the bipedal postures attained their status out of habit (Lewin 112). The bipedal posture was, therefore, a product of posture and could only be achieved and retained through consistent practice. This theory is consistent with other biological ideas that affirm that animals often gain or lose certain features or characters through a consistent approach. The hypothesis also weaves into the common physical argument that attempts to connect changes in genetics to environmental factors. As such, it might be argued that the merits of this argument should be examined in light of all the attendant factors that connect the character with formal change.

The matter of convenience features prominently in the many arguments relating to the postural feeding hypothesis. Comfort in eating is one of the significant factors that studies in fossil anatomy used to determine the level of change reflected within the element of change and balance. Limiting the cause of hominid bipedalism's evolution to looking for food does not satisfactorily explain the stalled evolutionary process of the chimpanzees, as they seem to be stuck at a stage in the evolutionary process that does not transcend beyond the limited usage of bipedalism. Like other schools of thought that connect the habit of eating to matters of personal development, this hypothesis should be interrogated for possible mismatches between fact and reality.

In the upshot, it might be argued that some of the issues that connect with bipedalism have to be engaged from multiple dimensions that determine matters of posture and the continuity of the process of evolution. The spontaneity of evolutionary processes usually manifests themselves in subtle ways that are not easily noticeable. Based on this point, proponents of the postural feeding hypothesis argue that hominid bipedalism takes place over millions of years without conspicuous notice. Both the idea of postural feeding and the savannah-based hypothesis provide resourceful arguments that shed significant knowledge on the evolutionary process of bipedalism. However, the two theories fail to adduce sufficient evidence that could be relied upon to affirm their adopted positions and question the foundations of competing perspectives.