RE: Can Darwinism account for morality?
June 18, 2015 at 11:27 am
(This post was last modified: June 18, 2015 at 11:32 am by Alex K.)
Yes, that's absolutely the case. We evolved as a social species for the past few million years, and that leaves its traces.
As an aside, I think the fact that one cares for members of one's family and peer group can also be understood in terms of Dawkins' selfish gene picture, where genes which promote benevolence towards other members of the tribe become more successful because they protect their copies in other individuals in the group and aid their replication. As a consequence of this, random kindness towards other individuals which are not closely related could also merely be an accidental side effect of this evolved protection of relatives, in addition to Darwinian selection for social skills which you propose.
As an aside, I think the fact that one cares for members of one's family and peer group can also be understood in terms of Dawkins' selfish gene picture, where genes which promote benevolence towards other members of the tribe become more successful because they protect their copies in other individuals in the group and aid their replication. As a consequence of this, random kindness towards other individuals which are not closely related could also merely be an accidental side effect of this evolved protection of relatives, in addition to Darwinian selection for social skills which you propose.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
