Decisive moments in becoming human: objectification, narration & living through a storyline

Charles Darwin’s proposition that humanity constitutes one species among many implies a shared, primordial foundation of cognition and existence with other life forms. This premise inevitably raises a central question: through what processes did humans subsequently evolve into a singular, exceptional creature? The research program addressing this question has spanned more than five decades. The present work synthesizes the findings and reflections of this long-term project, offering what may be considered its concluding synthesis.Particular methodological commitments have been essential to this inquiry. From the outset, it was evident that rigorous conceptual analysis was required. Key terms, often unreflectively treated as natural kinds, revealed themselves upon closer examination to be historically embedded constructs, the referential stability and essence of which could—and should—be called into question.Methodologically, the investigation deliberately moved beyond conventional paths. Rather than tracing mechanisms to their minutest constituents within the organism – characteristic for the mainstream brain-centric approach, the focus shifted to publicly observable behaviour, driven by primary motivations. It is within this arena that evolutionary fitness is ultimately demonstrated and survival value proven. Furthermore, the analysis consciously avoids recourse to mysterious interventions or unverifiable causal agents. The overarching aim has been to determine the explanatory reach of this distinctive perspective.