Topic: The problem with evolutionary ethics.
c c c c c c c c c Many problems arise when studying evolutionary ethics that cannot
be reconciled when taking a logical look at its viability as a base for knowledge
and moral principles. Evolutionary ethics states that “ethical beliefs have
developed through evolution to help us survive and reproduce.”[1] To put it
another way, evolutionary ethics encompasses the knowledge and morals
needed for the survival of the human race. Proponents of this ethic believe
humans think they have duties but there are no real obligations just an illusion
of obligations for cooperation and survival. “Morality is a corporate illusion
“fobbed off on us by our genes to get us to cooperate. We don’t have real
duties, only the illusion of them.”[2] This line of logic would suggest that value
somehow sprung out of valuelessness, it also does not allow for an all-
knowing, all-loving God that instills value and dignity into His creation. It makes
logical sense that a creation the acknowledges value and dignity in each other
derived that belief from a creator rather than a system predicated on nature
and the survival of the fittest. For this line of reasoning alone evolutionary
ethics is not compatible with belief in God as the foundation for ethics.
c c c c c c c c c The biggest problem with evolutionary ethics is the belief that
humans are a product of natural evolutionary processes, that humans are wired
for survival, a material process with no value or meaning. If this is the case
how can humans trust their beliefs and moral reasoning? This type of moral
reasoning concerns itself with survival, not truth-seeking. “Since naturalistic
evolution is “interested in” surviving rather than truth-seeking, holding many
false beliefs could enhance survival”[3] Trusting in human reasoning and moral
decision making makes much more sense if there is an intelligent creator
behind the human thought process versus the randomness of evolutionary
ethics. Going back to the thought that humans have illusions of duties that help
develop their moral senses, if this is the case where did these illusions come
from? Are they part of the randomness of evolution, and if so how can this line
of reasoning be trusted when it is merely an illusion derived from randomness
in the first place? In evolutionary ethics, the actions of humans are of no more
consequence than the actions of a goldfish. There is no real compelling reason
to be moral or live by any ethical standard. Clearly, there is a difference
between loving someone even if they cannot be of benefit versus the impulse
of hunger and needing to eat for survival. Evolutionary ethics begin from a
flawed line of thought that does not take into consideration the entirety of the
human condition. Intelligent design from an intelligent creator takes into
account the whole of human existence.
c c c c c c c c c c The problems with evolutionary ethics are inevitable and authors
McQuilkin and Copan do a fair and balanced job in presenting evidence to
support their claims concerning problems with the evolutionary ethical system.
Belief in God and the moral and ethical standards of the Bible are the logical
choice when considered against evolutionary ethics. Walking in a manner
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him is taught in Colossians 1:10 (ESV).
God is love, and He commands us to love (1 John 4:19). He is holy, and He
commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15). God is merciful, and He commands us
to be merciful (Luke 6:36). He is truthful, and He commands us not to bear
false witness (Titus 1:2; Exodus 20:16). Christian ethics takes into account the
entire human condition. Christians consider the action itself but also a person’s
attitudes about the action, the person’s motives for doing the action, and the
results of the action. Ethics taught in the Bible logically fit with and are
consistent with an intelligent design from an intelligent creator. Evolutionary
ethics does not make any logical sense and any argument for evolutionary
ethics collapses on itself under close examination. Rebecca Mclaughlin in her
book Confronting Christianity makes this point concerning Christianity and
intelligent design, “Christianity is the most widespread belief system in the
world, with the most far-reaching intellectual footprint, and a wealth of
counterintuitive wisdom concerning how humans should thrive.”[4] The moral
and ethical precepts taught in the Bible are superior to evolutionary ethics from
a logical standpoint.
Bibliography
McLaughlin, Rebecca. Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s
Largest Religion. Wheaton, IN Crossway Publishers, 2019.
McQuilkin, Robertson. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of
Wisdom. . Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture references are taken from the ESV Bible. n.d.
[1] Robertson McQuilkin. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of
Wisdom. . Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014, 180.
[2] McQuilkin, Biblical Ethics, 180.
[3] Ibid, 181.
[4] Rebecca McLaughlin. Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the
World’s Largest Religion. Wheaton, IN Crossway Publishers, 2019, 31.
