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Evolution and Ethics
Thomas Huxley (Darwin’s Bulldog) makes the following observation in his essay “Evolution and Ethics;” indeed it is the theme of his essay:
“[t]he practice of that which is ethically best–what we call goodness or virtue–involves a course of conduct which, in all respects, is opposed to that which leads to success in the cosmic struggle for existence. In place of ruthless self-assertion it demands self-restraint; in place of thrusting aside, or treading down, all competitors, it requires that the individual shall not merely respect, but shall help his fellows; its influence is directed, not so much to the survival of the fittest, as to the fitting of as many as possible to survive.”
Huxley is acknowledging that the concept of evolution is diametrically opposed to the concept of ethics, but that ethics nonetheless should be our pursuit. He argues that we must work hard for the social good, and the work is because it contradicts our nature. He does not acknowledge however, nor can anyone defend, how blind evolution could lead an organism (over millions of years) to a condition where its progress depends on contradicting the process that brought it about.
March 25, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Hello friend. I also see the non-alignment of the theory of evolution and the advocating of ethical values. I don’t think they have anything to do with each other. Maybe Huxley, being Darwin’s apologist, felt the need to “cleanse” the thing by associating popular morality with it. When really that’s like gluing two unlike materials together. It’s a kind of a double-think.
By the way, I was reading some of your other posts below with interest. My knowledge level in biology is not very high but I do pay attention to some of the developments in the area. And the debate.
I saw an announcement for a lecture by Sean Carroll in which he will “prove” the theory of evolution by dna evidence, or some such. I don’t know much but I am highly skeptical he can accomplish such a thing.
Here’s the blurb:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/news/releases?id=32886
I’m planning on going.
I work at a job where sometimes I get training in certain scientific details about biology, biochemistry, dna, etc. Everything I learn confirms to me Somebody had to design it and make it.
Anyway, I will keep watching your blog space and look forward to other posts.
Thanks. Joe