The two essays provide a critical examination of theory and research in the field of
evolutionary psychology. The view advanced here is that philosophical materialism and
minimalist assumptions about adaptation serve Darwinian psychology better than the more popular
alternative view that relies on cognitive dualism and propositional-attitude psychology to
formulate evolutionary psychology theory. A commitment to cognitive dualism is destined to
undermine the physical basis of behavior upon which evolutionary theory depends. Many
evolutionary psychologists do not see this but are seduced by the easy way in which hypotheses
can be formulated using the 'propositional-attitude' model. The challenge is to develop a
materialistic and mechanistic approach to understanding human cognition and behavior including
linguistic and social behavior.
