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Is the holocaust relevant to sociobiology?
1Anatomical Sciences at Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City College of the City University of New York, USA.
Journal of Religion and Health
|December 7, 2013
Summary
Ethical behavior, including altruism, is more than just social behavior; it involves a unique sensitivity to others. This moral sense may have evolved for human survival by promoting genetic diversity.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Sociobiology
- Ethics
Background:
- Sociobiologists view altruism and benevolent behavior as innate genetic traits.
- Existing theories define ethics biologically but omit the concept of evil.
- Holocaust behavior is distinct from natural animalistic aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate ethical behavior from mere social behavior.
- To incorporate the concept of evil into biological ethics.
- To explore the evolutionary significance of human moral sense.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of sociobiological theories.
- Distinction between social behavior, ethical behavior, and evil.
- Evolutionary perspective on moral sense.
Main Results:
- Ethical behavior is characterized by sensitivity to others' needs, contrasting with the absence of this sensitivity in evil.
- Holocaust behavior is not a simple manifestation of primal aggression.
- Equating ethical behavior solely with social behavior is an oversimplification.
Conclusions:
- Ethical behavior possesses a unique dimension beyond social interaction.
- The human moral sense, including its capacity for evil, has potential selective value.
- Promoting genetic diversity through moral behavior may be crucial for human species survival.
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