Evolution of Ethics Flashcards
1
Q
Can there be a biological route to Morality?
A
Yes.
Reciprocity and Fairness
Empathy and Compassion
2
Q
Reptiles
A
Never exhibit cooperative behavior.
No survival advantage.
3
Q
What About Humans/Mamals?
A
We need to communicate/cooperate in order to eat the things we like.
We evolved to live in social environments. It would be very difficult for us to live on our own,
4
Q
Humans and needs
A
We actually need more than food and shelter
Our brains demand complex societies
Our children more care than perhaps any other animal
It really does take a village to do much of anything as a human
5
Q
How do these villages develop?
A
- Empathy
- Reciprocity
- Fairness
6
Q
Punchline
A
We are born with the capacity to be moral, but it has to be fleshed out.
Good morals = ƒ(Good environment + error)
7
Q
A
