This project studies how human cultures have used simple rules of thumb during the course of their cultural evolution. It uncovers how rules of thumb make use of environmental and bodily structures, and how simple rules have guided even complex adaptive strategies and technological development. Rules of thumb have been used, for example, in early construction and agricultural techniques. Using interviews, surveys, experiments, and archive resources, the project charts how global and Fennoscandian traditional knowledge has utilised rules of thumb. The project also documents cases where environmental and climate change lead to circumstances where old rules no longer function. Study results provide a better understanding of cultural and cognitive evolution and human problem-solving capabilities. Results are used to develop more realistic computational models of climate adaptation, which result in enhanced policy recommendations. Research is conducted at the University of Helsinki.

2022

2025