1 the evolution of morality soazig le bihan -- university of montana
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The Evolution of MoralityThe Evolution of Morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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OutlineOutline
Introduction
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Conclusion
Problem 2: Morality debunked?
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OutlineOutline
IntroductionIntroduction
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Conclusion
Problem 2: Morality debunked?
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Introduction Introduction Evolution and MoralityEvolution 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
We should be able to explain human moral behavior in terms of evolutionary forces
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Introduction Introduction Two ProblemsTwo 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?
If evolution is a matter of competition, how could moral behavior have been selected?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Introduction Introduction Two ProblemsTwo 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?
If moral behavior is the result evolution, is not morality an illusion?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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OutlineOutline
Introduction
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Conclusion
Problem 2: Morality debunked?
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How could moral behavior result How could moral behavior result from evolution? 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
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
THREE ANSWERS:
1. Moral behavior as a side effect
2. Biological Altruism
3. Selection of cooperative behavior
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1. Moral behavior as a side effect1. 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
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Other Examples:
- Nerdy behavior
- Taste for sweets and fats
Moral behavior could be a non-adaptive side effect of the development of the brain
Moral behavior could be a non-adaptive side effect of the development of the brain
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2. Biological Altruism2. Biological Altruism
Biological altruism
- Reciprocal aid
- Kin selection
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Other Examples:
- Vervet monkeys’ calls
- Insect colonies
Human moral behavior could be a case of biological altruism
Human moral behavior could be a case of biological altruism
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3. Selection of cooperative behavior3. Selection of cooperative behavior
The Problem: parasites
Prisoner’s dilemma
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Simulation type 1:
- Single encounter:
- Best strategy: parasite
- Paradox: both lose in trying to win!
Jones cooperates Jones cheats
Smith cooperates Jones: 3 kidsSmith: 3 kids
Jones: 5 kidsSmith: 0 kid
Smith cheats Jones: 0 kidSmith: 3 kids
Jones: 1 kidSmith: 1 kid
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3. Selection of cooperative behavior3. Selection of cooperative behavior
Simulation type 2:
- Repeated encounters
- Memory of past encounters
- Best strategy: “tit for tat”
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Cooperative behavior selected in the long run
Cooperative behavior selected in the long run
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How could moral behavior result How could moral behavior result from evolution? -- Conclusion 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.
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
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OutlineOutline
Introduction
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality The new science of morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Conclusion
Problem 2: Morality debunked?
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of Morality
The Moral Sense Test
- Harvard University
- More than 300,000 subjects
- All background: religion, age, culture, education
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
How do humans decide what is right and wrong?
How do humans decide what is right and wrong?
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityThe Trolley ProblemThe Trolley Problem
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Situation 1: Is it morally permissible to pull the switch?
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityThe Trolley ProblemThe Trolley Problem
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Situation 2: Is it morally permissible to push the fat guy?
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityThe Trolley ProblemThe Trolley Problem
Results:
- Two situations similar from a rational point of view
- But people’s choices differ
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityNeurobiologyNeurobiology
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”.
At least part of our moral judgments are influenced by some biological instincts – a “moral instinct”.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityUniversal GrammarUniversal Grammar
Chomski and language learning:
- Universal grammar: innate
- Particulars of each language: culture
Pinker: “the primary colors of our moral sense”
Pinker: “the primary colors of our moral sense”
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Similar idea in the moral domain:
- Universal grammar: innate
- Particulars of each morality: culture
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The New Science of MoralityThe New Science of MoralityConclusionConclusion
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
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
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OutlineOutline
Introduction
Problem 1: How could morality be the result of evolution?
The new science of morality
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Conclusion
Problem 2: Morality debunked? Problem 2: Morality debunked?
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Morality debunked or Morality debunked or strengthened?strengthened?
Pinker: Morality not debunked but strengthened! How?
Pinker: Morality not debunked but strengthened! How?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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"
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Two ArgumentsTwo Arguments
Are we biologically determined to make the “moral” choices we make?
Are we biologically determined to make the “moral” choices we make?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Two ArgumentsTwo Arguments
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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?
Is our “moral” behavior just another mean to survive?
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Against the Argument for DeterminismAgainst the Argument for Determinism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Are we biologically determined to make the moral choices we make? Seriously? – Princeton party
The universal grammar gives the primary colors: it remains to design the full painting!
The universal grammar gives the primary colors: it remains to design the full painting!
Three Levels:
- Universal Grammar: tool kit for building particular systems of morality
- But the particular systems come from other sources !
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Against the Argument for DeterminismAgainst the Argument for Determinism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
There is no biological determinism for moral behavior
There is no biological determinism for moral behavior
Three Levels:
- Universal Grammar: tool kit
- Culture and Education: particulars – but we know it is not enough
- Intellectual Autonomy: reflection and modification
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Against the Argument for RelativismAgainst the Argument for Relativism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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!
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!
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?Against the Argument for RelativismAgainst the Argument for Relativism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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
There is no reason to reject the idea that that there are moral truths if we admit the existence of mathematical truths
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Morality debunked or strengthened?Morality debunked or strengthened?ConclusionConclusion
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
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
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Autonomous rational thinking is what makes moral behavior and moral thoughts truly moral.
Autonomous rational thinking is what makes moral behavior and moral thoughts truly moral.
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ConclusionConclusion
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.” "
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