Evolutionary ethics,Darwinian ethics and ethical naturalism |
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Authors: | P Thompson |
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Institution: | (1) University of Toronto Sarborough Campus, 1265 Military trail, MIC 104 West Hill, Ontario, Canada |
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Abstract: | The relevance of evolutionary theory to ethics goes back to Darwin but until recently discussion employed evolutionary theory
to justify ethical, social and political positions. Recently, evolutionary theory has been used to explain the existence of
moral systems and moral propensities and, thereby, to provide a naturalistic basis for ethics. I argue that this approach
has advanced our understanding of the basis of moral systems and moral propensities but does not as yet adequately incorporate
the role of cognition in its account. Cognition has the effect of decoupling to some extent — though, of course, far from
fully — human moral systems from their evolutionary origins. In an adequate account, evolutionary theory will play a crucial
role but so also will our evolved cognitive abilities. |
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Keywords: | ethics evolutionary ethics cognition ethical naturalism |
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