Evolutionary ethics posits that “our ethical beliefs have developed
through evolution to help us survive and reproduce” (McQuilkin 2017,
180). In other words, morality is a result of the evolution of a person’s
social, cultural, environmental or intellectual faculties. Morality is NOT due
to divine revelation or because of any innate rational faculties.
According to Atheist Michael Ruse, humanity’s sense of duty and right
and wrong is due to “biological worth and that morality is a corporate
illusion “fobbed off on us by our genes to get us to cooperate” . (pp. 180).
So, morality is a deceptive notion. If this is the case, there are fallacies in
the theory. First, the theory does not rule out God as the source of
morality, even if the fundamental moral understanding was influenced by
biological evolution (p 180). Second, the sense of human dignity is
embedded in our legal system, which is also outlined in the Bible
(Proverbs 11:3; Matthew 7:12; 22:36-40; Romans 13: 1, 8-10 and 1
Corinthians 6:9-11, to name a few). Thirdly, if evolutionary ethics is a
product of material, valueless, or mindless processes, then one cannot
trust his or her beliefs, because those beliefs would be produced through
non-rational forces beyond their control. Lastly, and the most compelling
reason to reject evolutionary ethics, is there is no explanation for the
origin of said “duties” or “oughts,” in humans, in a universe of electrons
and self-replicating genes (p. 181). Further, evolutionary ethics does not
explain how individuals distinguish between good and evil.
Evolutionary ethics thinkers appear to be faulty in their thought
process. They are more “interested in” surviving rather than truth-seeking
(pp 181). They can describe how humanity actually functions or behaves,
but are not able to prescribe how they should act. If they do not accept
something as known, they create their own process and their worldview,
which ultimately disregards the supernatural or anything unexplainable.
This thinking is irrational and in many places contradicts itself. If a
worldview internally contradicts itself, then it is considered false because
it is self-defeating its own truths.
A question in our reading asks, “Why couldn’t God engineer this
process to produce in us moral beliefs or conscience that reflects God’s
own moral character?” (p. 180). The author opines that God does just
that. Humanity was created by God (Gen 2:7 15-25), in his image and
likeness (James 3:9). Believers were created with a rational nature,
intelligence, and volition with a moral responsibility to God. God
createdeverythingout of nothing, through His spoken word that was
entirely of his own power and will (Psalm 33:6,9). God also upholds and
sustains the universe by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). God also gives
believers free will; freedom to choose. Thus, it is up to us to choose
whether to do good or evil. Morality often lies within the social instincts. It
is based upon reasoning and not evolved emotions.
Word Count: 488
Bibliography
McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan. 2017.An Introduction to Biblical
Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom.Downer’s Grove, IL
