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Evolutionary ethics from Darwin to Moore.

Fritz Allhoff1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
|August 6, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary ethics, exploring morality through Darwinism, faced initial resistance and criticism. Despite abandonment, it saw a revival, with its philosophical merits largely decided in early stages.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Ethics
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Moral Philosophy

Background:

  • Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" (1859) sparked interest in the moral implications of Darwinism.
  • Early evolutionary ethics, notably Herbert Spencer's work, faced significant criticism from figures like T.H. Huxley.
  • Moral philosophers such as G.E. Moore and Henry Sidgwick critiqued early theories, leading to a decline in the field.

Observation:

  • The publication of "On the Origin of Species" led to widespread debate on whether Darwinism undermined traditional ethics.
  • Initial resistance to Darwinism stemmed from perceived incompatibility with established moral frameworks.
  • A key event was the critique of Herbert Spencer's systematic theory of evolutionary ethics by prominent moral philosophers.

Findings:

  • The field of evolutionary ethics experienced a development phase, followed by criticism and subsequent abandonment.
  • Philosophical critiques by Sidgwick and Moore were instrumental in the decline of early evolutionary ethics.
  • E.O. Wilson's "Sociobiology: The New Synthesis" (1975) initiated a revival of interest in evolutionary ethics.

Implications:

  • The history of evolutionary ethics reveals a pattern of development, criticism, abandonment, and revival.
  • Focusing on the initial stages allows for a clearer understanding of the philosophical merits of early evolutionary ethics.
  • The ongoing revival suggests a continued exploration of the relationship between evolutionary biology and moral thought.

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