Download or read book The Moral Theory of Evolutionary Naturalism written by William Fletcher Quillian and published by . This book was released on 1945 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Moral Theory of Evolutionary Naturalism written by William Fletcher Quillian and published by . This book was released on 1945 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Evolutionary Naturalism written by Michael Ruse and published by Routledge. This book was released on 1995-02-02 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a collection of essays on the history and philosophy of evolutionary biology by the well-known Canadian scholar, Michael Ruse. Much has been written newly for the collection, as the author explores themes of evolutionary naturalism, putting the theory of knowledge and of moral behaviour on a philosophical basis informed by contemporary evolutionary biology. Divided into three parts, the first set of essays considers issues in the history of science - Darwin, population biology, and the new paleontological theory of `punctuated equilibria' - attempting to find a path between the crude objectivity espoused by many working scientists, and the rank relativism of post-modernist critiques of science. The second set of essays turns directly to the theory of knowledge (epistemology), arguing that the fact that we are evolved beings rather than objects of special creation, must and does inform our thinking about the external world. The third set of essays, the most controversial, turns to questions of morality, arguing that ethical systems are ultimately no more than collective illusions put in place by our biology, because humans are essentially social animals. Written in a clear and non-technical fashion, this collection carries forward debate on a number of controversial issues, showing that the time has now come to take philosophy from the hands of academic theorists and to embrace fully the findings and consequences of modern science.
Download or read book On the Ethics of Naturalism written by William Ritchie Sorley and published by . This book was released on 1885 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Taking Darwin Seriously written by Michael Ruse and published by Wiley-Blackwell. This book was released on 1986-01-01 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Applying evolutionary biology to traditional philosophical problems, this volume establishes a naturalistic approach to our understanding of life's major problems. Ruse argues thoughtfully that to understand the problems of knowledge and moral thought and behavior, we must know that we are the end-products of the natural process of evolution rather than the special creation of a supernatural god. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
Download or read book Evolutionary Ethics written by Antony G. N. Flew and published by Springer. This book was released on 1967-06-18 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Moral Virtue and Nature written by Stephen R. Brown and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2008-04-10 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What make someone a good human being? Is there an objective answer to this question, an answer that can be given in naturalistic terms? For ages philosophers have attempted to develop some sort of naturalistic ethics. Against ethical naturalism, however, notable philosophers have contended that such projects are impossible, due to the existence of some sort of 'gap' between facts and values. Others have suggested that teleology, upon which many forms of ethical naturalism depend, is an outdated metaphysical concept. This book argues that a good human being is one who has those traits the possession of which enables someone to achieve those ends natural to beings like us. Thus, the answer to the question of what makes a good human being is given in terms both objective and naturalistic. The author shows that neither 'is-ought' gaps, nor objections concerning teleology pose insurmountable problems for naturalistic virtue ethics. This work is a much needed contribution to the ongoing debate about ethical theory and ethical virtue.
Download or read book The Evolution of Morality written by Richard Joyce and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2007-08-24 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Moral thinking pervades our practical lives, but where did this way of thinking come from, and what purpose does it serve? Is it to be explained by environmental pressures on our ancestors a million years ago, or is it a cultural invention of more recent origin? In The Evolution of Morality, Richard Joyce takes up these controversial questions, finding that the evidence supports an innate basis to human morality. As a moral philosopher, Joyce is interested in whether any implications follow from this hypothesis. Might the fact that the human brain has been biologically prepared by natural selection to engage in moral judgment serve in some sense to vindicate this way of thinking—staving off the threat of moral skepticism, or even undergirding some version of moral realism? Or if morality has an adaptive explanation in genetic terms—if it is, as Joyce writes, "just something that helped our ancestors make more babies"—might such an explanation actually undermine morality's central role in our lives? He carefully examines both the evolutionary "vindication of morality" and the evolutionary "debunking of morality," considering the skeptical view more seriously than have others who have treated the subject. Interdisciplinary and combining the latest results from the empirical sciences with philosophical discussion, The Evolution of Morality is one of the few books in this area written from the perspective of moral philosophy. Concise and without technical jargon, the arguments are rigorous but accessible to readers from different academic backgrounds. Joyce discusses complex issues in plain language while advocating subtle and sometimes radical views. The Evolution of Morality lays the philosophical foundations for further research into the biological understanding of human morality.
Download or read book The Ethics of Naturalism written by W. R. Sorley and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2015-06-15 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from The Ethics of Naturalism: A Criticism The chief purpose of this work is to arrive at an exact estimate of the ethical significance of the theory of evolution. The form in which this theory has impressed itself upon contemporary thought is mainly due to certain researches in biology; but its influence has not been restricted to the biological sciences. It has shed new light on psychology and on the sciences of society. In this way it has much to say concerning the development of morality. This also is within the scope of evolution. But at this point it is necessary to consider whether our interpretation of evolution may not have been too exclusively determined by observation of a limited group of facts. We must ask whether the factors of biological evolution are adequate to the explanation of moral development. A still more important question than this is raised in the application of evolution to ethics. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Download or read book Law and Evil written by Wojciech Załuski and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2018-10-26 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Darwin God and the Meaning of Life written by Steve Stewart-Williams and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-09-30 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you accept evolutionary theory, can you also believe in God? Are human beings superior to other animals, or is this just a human prejudice? Does Darwin have implications for heated issues like euthanasia and animal rights? Does evolution tell us the purpose of life, or does it imply that life has no ultimate purpose? Does evolution tell us what is morally right and wrong, or does it imply that ultimately 'nothing' is right or wrong? In this fascinating and intriguing book, Steve Stewart-Williams addresses these and other fundamental philosophical questions raised by evolutionary theory and the exciting new field of evolutionary psychology. Drawing on biology, psychology and philosophy, he argues that Darwinian science supports a view of a godless universe devoid of ultimate purpose or moral structure, but that we can still live a good life and a happy life within the confines of this view.
Download or read book The Evolutionary Argument against Naturalism written by Jim Slagle and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2021-06-17 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contemporary discussions in metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of mind are dominated by the presupposition of naturalism. Arguing against this established convention, Jim Slagle offers a thorough defence of Alvin Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument against Naturalism (EAAN) and in doing so, reveals how it shows that evolution and naturalism are incompatible. Charting the development of Plantinga's argument, Slagle asserts that the probability of our cognitive faculties reliably producing true beliefs is low if ontological naturalism is true, and therefore all other beliefs produced by these faculties, including naturalism itself, are self-defeating. He critiques other well-known epistemological approaches, including those of Descartes and Quine, and deftly counters the many objections against the EAAN to conclude that metaphysical naturalism should be rejected on the grounds of self-defeat. By situating Plantinga's argument within a wider context and showing that science and evolution cannot entail naturalism, Slagle renders this most common metaphysical view irrational. As such, the book advocates an important reconsideration of contemporary thought at the intersection of philosophy, science and religion.
Download or read book Evolution and Ethics written by Thomas Henry Huxley and published by . This book was released on 2024-01-03 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Evolution and Ethics" is a collection of essays written by Thomas Henry Huxley, a prominent English biologist and advocate for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The book was first published in 1893 and brings together Huxley's thoughts on the implications of evolutionary theory for ethics and morality. Key features of "Evolution and Ethics" include: Integration of Evolutionary Theory and Ethics: Huxley explores the relationship between the theory of evolution and ethical principles. He seeks to reconcile the scientific understanding of evolution with moral philosophy, addressing the potential impact of evolutionary ideas on traditional ethical frameworks. Naturalistic Ethics: One of the central themes of the book is Huxley's advocacy for a naturalistic approach to ethics. He suggests that ethical principles can be derived from an understanding of the natural world and human evolution, rather than relying solely on religious or supernatural foundations. Scientific Rationalism: Throughout the essays, Huxley emphasizes the importance of applying scientific reasoning to ethical questions. He promotes a rational and empirical approach to understanding human behavior and morality. Critique of Social Darwinism: While Huxley was a strong supporter of evolutionary theory, he was critical of certain interpretations, particularly those associated with Social Darwinism. He cautioned against using evolutionary ideas to justify social inequality or unethical practices, emphasizing that ethical considerations should guide human conduct. Humanitarian Values: Despite the naturalistic approach, Huxley advocates for humanitarian values. He argues that an understanding of evolution should lead to a greater sense of human responsibility and empathy, rather than providing a rationale for selfish or ruthless behavior. Intellectual Rigor: Huxley's writing in "Evolution and Ethics" reflects his characteristic intellectual rigor and clarity. He presents his arguments in a logical and systematic manner, making the complex relationship between evolution and ethics accessible to a broad readership. "Evolution and Ethics" is an important work in the history of the discussion on the relationship between science and morality. It reflects the intellectual climate of the late 19th century and the ongoing dialogue about the implications of Darwinian evolution for various aspects of human thought and society.
Download or read book Evolutionary Naturalism written by Roy Wood Sellars and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2015-06-15 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Evolutionary Naturalism To paraphrase a saying which gained considerable notoriety a decade ago in the field of politics, we are all naturalists now. But, even so, this common naturalism is of a very vague and general sort, capable of covering an immense diversity of opinion. It is an admission of a direction more than a clearly formulated belief. It is less a philosophical system than a recognition of the impressive implications of the physical and the biological sciences. And, not to be outdone, psychology has swelled the chorus by pointing out the organic roots of behavior and of consciousness. But just because an adequate naturalism has never been formulated and defended, we find that many who are naturalistic in their general outlook are yet sharp in their criticism of naturalism as a philosophy Why is there this apparent contradiction? Why is there this conservative withholding of allegiance to naturalism on the part of the majority of philosophers? Why is naturalism insistently defined in so narrow a way that it becomes a thing of straw easily torn to pieces? This situation has awakened my interest and I wish to say a few words about it. To define naturalism in a narrow and indefensible way and then to tear it to pieces may be a pleasant enough dialectical exercise, but surely it is not consonant with the serious aim of philosophy to discover the truth about nature and ourselves as children of nature. There is something childish, rhetorical and merely verbal in this procedure, something which smacks of the lecture-room instead of the laboratory. Such lecturers are in the habit of making remarks such as the following: "No philosopher to-day is a materialist," "Atheism has been completely discredited," "No one to-day knows what life is," etc. The vicious effect of such dicta is the encouragement of obscurantism. But among the more serious and competent thinkers there is the effort to work out exact definitions and to do justice to the actual content of both science and philosophy. Why, then, do so many of these, also, attack naturalism? The reason is, I think, twofold. First in order comes the recognition of the crying defects of the naturalism of a few decades ago. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Download or read book Darwinism Philosophy written by Vittorio Hösle and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The philosophically most challenging science today, arguably, is no longer physics but biology. It is hardly an exaggeration to state that Charles Darwin has shaped modern evolutionary biology more significantly than anyone else. Moreover, since Darwin's day, philosophers and scientists have realized the enormous philosophical potential of Darwinism and have tried to expand his insights well beyond the limits of biology. However, no consensus has been achieved. The aim of this collection of essays is to revive a comprehensive discussion of the meaning and the philosophical implications of "Darwinism." The contributors to Darwinism and Philosophy are international scholars from the fields of philosophy, science, and history of ideas. A strength of this collection is that it brings together sustained reflection from American and Continental philosophical traditions. The conclusions of the contributors vary, but taken together their essays successfully map the problems of interpreting "Darwinism."
Download or read book The Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Ethics written by Michael Ruse and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2017-08-11 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evolutionary ethics - the application of evolutionary ideas to moral thinking and justification - began in the nineteenth century with the work of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer, but was subsequently criticized as an example of the naturalistic fallacy. In recent decades, however, evolutionary ethics has found new support among both the Darwinian and the Spencerian traditions. This accessible volume looks at the history of thought about evolutionary ethics as well as current debates in the subject, examining first the claims of supporters and then the responses of their critics. Topics covered include social Darwinism, moral realism, and debunking arguments. Clearly written and structured, the book guides readers through the arguments on both sides, and emphasises the continuing relevance of evolutionary theory to our understanding of ethics today.
Download or read book Nietzsche s Naturalism written by Christian Emden and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014-05-29 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines Nietzsche's philosophical naturalism both historically and philosophically, establishing a link between his discussions of nature and normativity.
