1 Evolution and Morality

2Outline Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution? Conclusion Problem 2: Morality debunked?

3Introduction Evolution and Morality P1. Human behavior is the result of evolutionary forces P2. Human beings behave as moral agents CC: Moral behavior is the result of evolutionary forces  We should be able to explain human moral behavior in terms of evolutionary forces

4Introduction Two Problems PROBLEM 1: P1: The law of evolution is a law of competition P2: Moral behavior includes seemingly non-competitive behavior – cooperation, altruism, sacrifice CC: Evolution cannot explain moral behavior  If evolution is a matter of competition, how could moral behavior have been selected?

5Introduction Two Problems PROBLEM 2: P1: Evolution explains human behavior in terms of biological processes which are determined and have no “truth” to them P2: Moral behavior properly speaking is free and has value only if it based on truths CC: “If evolution is right, then there is no moral behavior properly speaking”  If moral behavior is the result evolution, is not morality an illusion?

6Outline Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution? Conclusion Problem 2: Morality debunked?

7 How could moral behavior result from evolution? PROBLEM 1: P1: The law of evolution is a law of competition P2: Moral behavior includes seemingly non-competitive behavior – cooperation, altruism, sacrifice CC: Evolution cannot explain moral behavior THREE ANSWERS: 1. Moral behavior as a side effect 2. Biological Altruism 3. Selection of cooperative behavior

8 1. Moral behavior as a side effect Non-adaptive traits as a side effect: - The development of the human brain is the result of evolution - Moral behavior comes as a non-adaptive side effect Other Examples: - Nerdy behavior - Taste for sweets and fats  Moral behavior could be a non-adaptive side effect of the development of the brain

9 2. Biological Altruism Biological altruism - Reciprocal aid - Kin selection Other Examples: - Vervet monkeys’ calls - Insect colonies  Human moral behavior could be a case of biological altruism

10 3. Selection of cooperative behavior 3. Selection of cooperative behavior The Problem: Prisoner’s dilemma Simulation type 1: - Single encounter: - Best strategy: defect - Paradox: both lose in trying to win! Jones cooperatesJones defects Smith cooperatesJones: 3 Smith: 3 Jones: 5 Smith: 0 Smith defectsJones: 0 Smith: 5 Jones: 1 Smith: 1

11 3. Selection of cooperative behavior 3. Selection of cooperative behavior Simulation type 2: - Repeated encounters - Memory of past encounters - Best strategy: Cooperate  Cooperative behavior selected in the long run

12 How could moral behavior result from evolution? -- Conclusion PROBLEM 1: If the law of evolution is a law of competition, could moral behavior, including cooperation, altruism and sacrifice, be selected? ANSWER: Of course. Cooperative behavior, altruism and sacrifice can be the most competitive behavior in certain environments. PROBLEM 1: If the law of evolution is a law of competition, could moral behavior, including cooperation, altruism and sacrifice, be selected? ANSWER: Of course. Cooperative behavior, altruism and sacrifice can be the most competitive behavior in certain environments.

13Outline Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution? Conclusion Problem 2: Morality debunked?

14 Morality debunked or strengthened?  Pinker: Morality not debunked but strengthened. How? Steven Pinker of Harvard University: “… dissecting moral intuitions is no small matter. If morality is a mere trick of the brain, some may fear, our very grounds for being moral could be eroded. Yet as we shall see, the science of the moral sense can instead be seen as a way to strengthen those grounds, by clarifying what morality is and how it should steer our actions"

15 Morality debunked or strengthened? Two Arguments  Are we biologically determined to make the “moral” choices we make? 1. Argument for Determinism: P1. If our moral behavior results from our biological make up, then it is determined. P2. Moral behavior is true moral behavior only if it results from free will CC. There is no true moral behavior -- illusion

16 Morality debunked or strengthened? Two Arguments 2. Argument for Relativism: P1. Whether a trait is selected by evolution depends on whether or not such trait is beneficial to survive in a certain environment. P2. Whether or not such trait is beneficial to survive in a certain environment has nothing to do with it being right or wrong CC. If our moral behavior is a trait selected by evolution, then it has nothing to do with right or wrong, ie: - moral behavior is not grounded in moral truths  Is our “moral” behavior just another mean to survive?

17 Morality debunked or strengthened? Against the Argument for Relativism Is our “moral” behavior just another mean to survive? Compare with mathematics: - We are born with a evolutionary-driven rudimentary mathematical knowledge - monkeys have this too. - We build on it with mathematical reasoning and discover mathematical truths  From the fact that a rudimentary version of our mathematical knowledge is the result of evolution, it follows that we can build autonomous, true knowledge.

18 Morality debunked or strengthened? Against the Argument for Relativism Then for morality: - We are born with a evolutionary-driven rudimentary moral tool-kit - We build on it with rational reasoning and discover moral truths  There is no reason to reject the idea that that there are moral truths if we admit the existence of mathematical truths

19 Morality debunked or strengthened? Conclusion Evolutionary forces explain rudimentary versions some of our tendencies toward moral behavior, and some of the content of our moral thoughts. But evolution is not the whole story: - There is no determinism of moral behavior - From the fact that some rudimentary version of morality is the result of evolution, it does not follow that there are no moral truths Evolutionary forces explain rudimentary versions some of our tendencies toward moral behavior, and some of the content of our moral thoughts. But evolution is not the whole story: - There is no determinism of moral behavior - From the fact that some rudimentary version of morality is the result of evolution, it does not follow that there are no moral truths  Autonomous rational thinking is what makes moral behavior and moral thoughts truly moral.

20Conclusion Steven Pinker: "Far from debunking morality, then, the science of the moral sense can advance it, by allowing us to see through the illusions that evolution and culture have saddled us with and to focus on goals we can share and defend. As Anton Chekhov wrote, “Man will become better when you show him what he is like.” " Steven Pinker: "Far from debunking morality, then, the science of the moral sense can advance it, by allowing us to see through the illusions that evolution and culture have saddled us with and to focus on goals we can share and defend. As Anton Chekhov wrote, “Man will become better when you show him what he is like.” "