Symbolic Selection and Evolutionary Vocabularies: Reconsidering Bipedalism through Mimicry and Display

This paper proposes a novel theoretical framework for understanding the evolution of hominin bipedalism through the lens of symbolic selection. While traditional accounts emphasize functional adaptations such as locomotor efficiency, thermoregulation, or tool use, this study explores the possibility that upright posture also served as a form of symbolic display—exaggerating size, signaling dominance, or mimicking other species to influence perception. Drawing on comparative ethology, cognitive science, and the philosophy of science, the manuscript introduces the concept of symbolic selection as a distinct evolutionary pressure that operates through perceptual manipulation and semiotic signaling. It argues that symbolic traits—such as posture, facial morphology, and multimodal displays—may have evolved not solely for their mechanical utility but also for their capacity to shape social and ecological interactions. The paper also critiques the functionalist bias in evolutionary discourse and advocates for a more pluralistic vocabulary that includes symbolic, communicative, and performative dimensions. By reframing bipedalism as both a biomechanical and symbolic transformation, this work contributes to interdisciplinary conversations in evolutionary anthropology, cognitive science, and the philosophy of biology.