Evolutionary debunking

Definition

Evolutionary debunking refers to the challenge of explaining how our moral beliefs can be influenced by evolutionary processes, suggesting that these beliefs may not reflect objective moral truths. It raises questions about whether our moral intuitions, shaped by natural selection, can be trusted as valid sources of moral knowledge. This idea connects to broader discussions about universalism and the existence of objective moral standards.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Evolutionary debunking suggests that if our moral beliefs have evolved for survival rather than truth, they may not provide accurate insights into objective moral standards.
2. This perspective challenges the reliability of our moral intuitions, arguing that they could be more about adaptive behavior than about understanding what is morally right or wrong.
3. Philosophers debate whether evolutionary influences undermine the concept of moral objectivity or whether they can coexist with it.
4. The argument implies that if our moral beliefs are shaped by evolutionary pressures, they might vary across cultures, challenging claims of universalism in morality.
5. Responses to evolutionary debunking often involve defending the validity of moral intuitions as reliable indicators of moral truths despite their evolutionary origins.

Review Questions

• How does evolutionary debunking challenge the notion of objective moral truths?
  • Evolutionary debunking challenges the notion of objective moral truths by suggesting that our moral beliefs are shaped by evolutionary pressures rather than by an understanding of universal ethics. This implies that our intuitions might serve adaptive functions for survival rather than reflecting true moral standards. If our morals are based on evolutionary adaptations, it raises doubts about their validity as objective truths applicable across different societies.
• Discuss the implications of evolutionary debunking for the concept of universalism in ethics.
  • The implications of evolutionary debunking for universalism in ethics are significant. If our moral beliefs are influenced by cultural and evolutionary contexts, then what is considered morally right can vary widely among different groups. This challenges the idea that there are universal moral truths applicable to all people at all times, suggesting instead that morality may be more subjective and context-dependent than previously thought.
• Evaluate how responses to evolutionary debunking might reinforce or undermine moral realism.
  • Responses to evolutionary debunking can either reinforce or undermine moral realism depending on the argument's direction. Some philosophers argue that even if our morals are influenced by evolution, this does not negate their objective status; they could still align with moral realism if we find underlying principles that transcend cultural variations. Conversely, others suggest that acknowledging evolutionary influences on our morals might weaken claims to objectivity, since it implies that morals are contingent on human development rather than absolute truths.

Related terms

moral realism: The view that there are objective moral truths that exist independently of human beliefs or attitudes.

naturalism: The philosophical belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded.

cognitive bias: A systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, which can affect how people perceive moral truths.