Evolution and Ethics: Human Morality in Biological and Religious Perspective

Bys: Philip Clayton and Jeffrey Schloss

Christians frequently resist evolutionary theory, believing it to be incompatible with the core values of their tradition. But what exactly are the tensions between evolution and religious faith in the area of human morality? Evolution and Ethics examines the burning questions of human morality from the standpoint of Christian thought and contemporary biology, asking where the two perspectives diverge and where they may complement one another.

Representing a significant dialogue between world-class scientists, philosophers, and theologians, this volume explores the central features of biological and religious accounts of human morality, introducing the leading theories and locating the key points of contention. Central to these discussions are the questions of whether human actions are ever genuinely selfless, whether there is something in the moral life that transcends biological function, and whether one can sensibly speak of an overall purpose to the course of evolution.

Certain to engage scholars, students, and general readers alike, Evolution and Ethics offers a balanced, levelheaded, constructive approach to an often divisive debate.

Contributors:

"Larry Arnhart
Christopher Boehm
Craig A. Boyd
Robert Boyd
Michael J. Chapman
Philip Clayton
Loren Haarsma
John Hare
S. Mark Heim
David C. Lahti
Thomas Jay Oord
Gregory R. Peterson
Joseph Poulshock
Peter J. Richerson
Philip A. Rolnick
Holmes Rolston III
Michael Ruse
Jeffrey Schloss
Ren van Woudenberg"

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802826954
• ISBN13: 9780802826954
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 339 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Can Neo-Darwinism Explain Ultimate Human Love and Sacrifice?

Evolution and Ethics examines the burning questions of human morality from the standpoint of Christian thought and contemporary biology, asking where the two perspectives diverge and where they may complement one another. Representing a significant dialogue between world-class scientists, philosophers, and theologians, this volume explores the central features of biological and religious accounts of human morality, introducing the leading theories and locating the key points of contention. Central to these discussions are the questions of whether human actions are ever genuinely selfless, whether there is something in the moral life that transcends biological function, and whether one can sensibly speak of an overall purpose to the course of evolution. Evolution and Ethics offers a balanced, levelheaded, constructive approach to an often divisive debate. Of interest in this volume are articles by Jeffrey P. Schloss and Discovery Fellow Joseph Poulshock. Poulshock recognizes that Darwinian explanations like "kin selection" can account for altruism within groups of closely related individuals. However human social interactions clearly require explanations which go far beyond Darwinian explanations. That is, nearly every major religion has proscriptions similar to the "Golden Rule." For instance, Christian notions of being the "good Samaritan" and Hebraic moral codes calling for kindness to foreigners, require explanations beyond reference to "selfish genes." Poulshock explains that social groups with strong moral codes eventually become governed by those codes. Thus it is ideas--communicated through written and spoken language--which seem to have the greatest impact upon human ethics.

Nice Overview of the Relevant Issues

This book is a terrific overview of the questions concerning the ULTIMATE SOURCE of moral values. Have values developed as part of human socio-cultural evolution? Are they nothing but the outer manifestation of the innerworkings of "selfish" genes? Is "morality" just a particular type of discourse used for conveying personal emotions about certain activities? Or do they arise from our "intuitions of the divine?" (Or perhaps some combination of these?). Highly recommended for anyone interested in current trends within the science/religion dialogue, and anyone interested in evolutionary psychology.