Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Concepts and codes of living
- 2 Cooperation, altruism, reciprocal altruism
- 3 Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality
- 4 Ideas about morality
- 5 The origins and value of religion
- 6 Other views about the origins of morality and religion
- 7 Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion
- 8 Conclusions
- References
- Species list
- Author index
- Subject index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Concepts and codes of living
- 2 Cooperation, altruism, reciprocal altruism
- 3 Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality
- 4 Ideas about morality
- 5 The origins and value of religion
- 6 Other views about the origins of morality and religion
- 7 Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion
- 8 Conclusions
- References
- Species list
- Author index
- Subject index
Summary
The principal arguments presented in this book are: firstly, that morality has a biological foundation and has evolved as a consequence of natural selection acting in various species and, secondly, that religions are essentially structures underpinning morality. It is argued that morality and the central components of religion are of great value.
Many philosophers and theologians write about morality and its origins without any reference to biological processes such as evolution. Many biologists discuss phenomena which are of great importance to human morality and religion without taking account of the ideas of those who theorise about these subjects. I find both of these omissions very disturbing. How can anyone believe that they can adequately discuss a system without any consideration of how it works or of factors which affect its functioning? How can a scientist ignore substantial and relevant areas of intellectual deliberation?
In some books and papers about morality and religion, confusion has arisen because arguments are narrowly focused according to the academic discipline perceived to be involved. An awareness of other disciplines would reduce some of that confusion. Hence it is important to attempt to integrate different approaches and sources of information. Many important gaps in human knowledge exist because there is pressure on academics and others to put most of their effort into studies considered to be central in their discipline.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Evolution of Morality and Religion , pp. ix - xiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003