Charles Darwin and modern moral philosophy

Franz M. Wuketits

Resumen


 

Charles Darwin can be regarded as one of the most prominent advocates of an evolutionary approach to ethics or moral philosophy in the nineteenth century and a forerunner of modern evolutionary ethics. Unlike many evolutionists of his days he consequently expanded the theory of evolution by natural selection to moral phenomena. He argued that such phenomena are deeply rooted in human nature and that humans are endowed with “social instincts.” Also, he maintained that with the aid of our intellect we can strengthen and refine our natural sympathy for others. Darwin believed in moral progress, defended the ideas of justice and solidarity and gave substantial support to an evolutionary humanism. His views on morality are still refreshing and deserve full attention of moral philosophers.

Key words. Darwin, evolution, natural selection, human evolution, morality, social instincts, sympathy, progress, evolutionary ethics, evolutionary humanism.


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Referencias


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