Transcript Lect6-Evolution
The Evolution of Morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 1
Outline
Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality Problem 2: Morality debunked? Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 2
Outline
Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality Problem 2: Morality debunked?
Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 3
Introduction Evolution and Morality
P1. Human behavior is the result of evolutionary forces P2. Human beings behave as moral agents CC: Moral behavior is the result of evolutionary forces
We should be able to explain human moral behavior in terms of evolutionary forces
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 4
Introduction Two Problems
PROBLEM 1: P1: The law of evolution is a law of competition P2: Moral behavior includes seemingly non-competitive behavior – cooperation, altruism, sacrifice CC: Evolution cannot explain moral behavior
If evolution is a matter of competition, how could moral behavior have been selected?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 5
Introduction Two Problems
PROBLEM 2: P1: Evolution explains human behavior in terms of biological processes which are determined and have no “truth” to them P2: Moral behavior properly speaking is free and has value only if it based on truths CC: “If evolution is right, then there is no moral behavior properly speaking”
If moral behavior is the result evolution, is not morality an illusion?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 6
Outline
Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality Problem 2: Morality debunked?
Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 7
How could moral behavior result from evolution?
PROBLEM 1: P1: The law of evolution is a law of competition P2: Moral behavior includes seemingly non-competitive behavior – cooperation, altruism, sacrifice CC: Evolution cannot explain moral behavior THREE ANSWERS: 1. Moral behavior as a side effect 2. Biological Altruism 3. Selection of cooperative behavior Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 8
1. Moral behavior as a side effect Non-adaptive traits as a side effect: - The development of the human brain is the result of evolution - Moral behavior comes as a non-adaptive side effect Other Examples: - Nerdy behavior - Taste for sweets and fats
Moral behavior could be a non-adaptive side effect of the development of the brain
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 9
2. Biological Altruism Biological altruism - Reciprocal aid - Kin selection Other Examples: - Vervet monkeys’ calls - Insect colonies
Human moral behavior could be a case of biological altruism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 10
3. Selection of cooperative behavior The Problem: parasites Prisoner’s dilemma
Smith cooperates Smith cheats Jones cooperates
Jones: 3 kids Smith: 3 kids Jones: 0 kid Smith: 3 kids
Jones cheats
Jones: 5 kids Smith: 0 kid Jones: 1 kid Smith: 1 kid Simulation type 1: - Single encounter: - Best strategy: parasite - Paradox: both lose in trying to win!
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 11
3. Selection of cooperative behavior Simulation type 2: - Repeated encounters - Memory of past encounters - Best strategy: “tit for tat”
Cooperative behavior selected in the long run
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 12
How could moral behavior result from evolution? -- Conclusion
PROBLEM 1:
If the law of evolution is a law of competition, could moral behavior, including cooperation, altruism and sacrifice, be selected?
ANSWER: Of course it could! Cooperative behavior, altruism and sacrifice can be the most competitive behavior in certain environments.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 13
Outline
Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality Problem 2: Morality debunked?
Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 14
The New Science of Morality The Moral Sense Test - Harvard University - More than 300,000 subjects - All background: religion, age, culture, education
How do humans decide what is right and wrong?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 15
The New Science of Morality The Trolley Problem
Situation 1:
Is it morally permissible to pull the switch?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 16
The New Science of Morality The Trolley Problem
Situation 2:
Is it morally permissible to push the fat guy?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 17
The New Science of Morality The Trolley Problem
Results: - Two situations similar from a rational point of view - But people’s choices differ Interpretation: Hauser: - Irrational intuitions (gut reactions), not rational reasoning, are at work in our moral judgments - These intuitions (gut reactions) are the result of evolutionary processes - Fat man: avoid interpersonal violence Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 18
The New Science of Morality Neurobiology
Results: - Brain damage – loss of moral sense - MRI: instincts vs rational reasoning in moral judgments
At least part of our moral judgments are influenced by some biological instincts – a “moral instinct”.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 19
The New Science of Morality Universal Grammar
Chomski and language learning: - Universal grammar: innate - Particulars of each language: culture Similar idea in the moral domain: - Universal grammar: innate - Particulars of each morality: culture
Pinker: “the primary colors of our moral sense”
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 20
The New Science of Morality Conclusion
Psychological and Neurological research:
Moral judgments are at least partly influenced by a “moral instinct”, which is part of our biological make up, resulting from the long process of evolution
Hauser and Joyce:
This shows that morality is an mere illusion.
Does it follow? See Pinker Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 21
Outline
Introduction Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality Problem 2: Morality debunked? Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 22
Morality debunked or strengthened?
PINKER:
"So, dissecting moral intuitions is no small matter. If morality is a mere trick of the brain, some may fear, our very grounds for being moral could be eroded. Yet as we shall see, the science of the moral sense can instead be seen as a way to strengthen those grounds, by clarifying what morality is and how it should steer our actions"
Pinker: Morality not debunked but strengthened! How?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 23
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Two Arguments
1. Argument for Determinism: P1. If our moral behavior results from our biological make up, then it is determined.
P2. Moral behavior is true moral behavior only if it results from free will CC. There is no true moral behavior -- illusion
Are we biologically determined to make the “moral” choices we make?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 24
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Two Arguments
2. Argument for Relativism: P1. Whether a trait is selected by evolution depends on whether or not such trait is beneficial to survive in a certain environment. P2. Whether or not such trait is beneficial to survive in a certain environment has nothing to do with it being right or wrong CC. If our moral behavior is a trait selected by evolution, then it has nothing to do with right or wrong, ie: - moral behavior is not grounded in moral truths
Is our “moral” behavior just another mean to survive?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 25
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Against the Argument for Determinism
Are we biologically determined to make the moral choices we make? Seriously? – Princeton party Three Levels: - Universal Grammar: tool kit for building particular systems of morality - But the particular systems come from other sources !
The universal grammar gives the primary colors: it remains to design the full painting!
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 26
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Against the Argument for Determinism
Three Levels: - Universal Grammar: tool kit - Culture and Education: particulars – but we know it is not enough - Intellectual Autonomy: reflection and modification
There is no biological determinism for moral behavior
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 27
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Against the Argument for Relativism
Is our “moral” behavior just another mean to survive? Compare with mathematics: - We are born with a evolutionary-driven rudimentary mathematical knowledge – monkeys too!
- We build on it with mathematical reasoning and discover mathematical truths
From the fact that a rudimentary version of our mathematical knowledge is the result of evolution, it does not follow that we cannot build autonomous, true knowledge!
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 28
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Against the Argument for Relativism
Then for morality: - We are born with a evolutionary-driven rudimentary moral tool-kit - We build on it with rational reasoning and discover moral truths
There is no reason to reject the idea that that there are moral truths if we admit the existence of mathematical truths
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 29
Morality debunked or strengthened?
Conclusion
Evolutionary forces explain rudimentary versions some of our tendencies toward moral behavior, and some of the content of our moral thoughts. But evolution is not the whole story: - There is no determinism of moral behavior - From the fact that some rudimentary version of morality is the result of evolution, it does not follow that there are no moral truths Autonomous rational thinking is what makes moral behavior and moral thoughts truly moral.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 30
Conclusion
PINKER: "Far from debunking morality, then, the science of the moral sense can advance it, by allowing us to see through the illusions that evolution and culture have saddled us with and to focus on goals we can share and defend. As Anton Chekhov wrote, “Man will become better when you show him what he is like.” " Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana 31