RE: Why be good?
May 29, 2015 at 9:07 pm
(This post was last modified: May 29, 2015 at 9:12 pm by Randy Carson.)
(May 28, 2015 at 9:14 am)Ben Davis Wrote:(May 28, 2015 at 8:06 am)Randy Carson Wrote: Could it be that evolution doesn't play a role in the development of objective moral values?*my bolding
Please can you stop using this term. It's clearly established that there's no such thing and that the term 'objective' in this context is a disingenuous misdefinition. I hope you'll prefer to engage honestly so that we can continue our discussion.
And I hope you notice the irony of your use of the term in a thread regarding morality.
Sure, Ben.
I can re-think the use of that term.
See? I'm reading the posts.
(May 28, 2015 at 9:50 am)Jörmungandr Wrote:(May 27, 2015 at 10:05 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: The question is: How did we get this sense of right and wrong? Evolution doesn't suggest that males should be polite with females...it suggests that the strongest and most aggressive mate when and where they please. That's just "survival of the fittest", isn't it?
So, in light of that, WHY should men be good on their dates with women v. taking what they want simply because they can like our ancestors might have done a few thousand years ago?
Your understanding of evolution is somewhat primitive. As pointed out, fittest doesn't necessarily mean strongest. In a social species, the fittest may be those who are able to mesh with the social relationships the best. Therefore, evolution could promote sociability over your simplistic conception of self-interest. In that case, following social mores such as don't hurt, don't steal, would be in the self-interest of the individual. It's similar to kin selective processes; those in my social circle have genes similar to mine, so by being socially positive, I ensure the survival of my gene type. That creates a differential reproduction in favor of those who have behaviors that are well adapted to the social nature of the species, rather than selfish behaviors.
You don't share the same morals as me, yet because you are of the same species as me, it's in my best interest, genetically, to protect you.
Jorm-
Stalin.
Pol Pot.
Ferdinand Marcos.
Vladimir Putin.
How did each of these individuals use their wonderfully developed social skills (such as "not hurting" and "not stealing") to rise to a position of authority within their own respective societies?