This is very incypl here. What you are drawing out is that you have an account of the evolution of knowing right from wrong, and this guy's trying to give an account of human beings being good. And what i've been seriously troubled with is that's not a phenomenon that can explain, because it's not true. Of course, we evolve this trait. Have values for other people that they make sacrifices on behalf of strangers so that you are likely to benefit. But you yourself don't be motivated by those values, because you have to pass on your own genes. Everything fits together. Now, hypocrisy is the fittest trait for the selfish ape. That's how i say
Penny Lane gave up months of wages and weeks of her life to have her kidney cut out and given to someone she never knew, and who may never thank her. She is one of about 200 people in the US a year who give up a kidney altruistically. What motivates someone to do that? Evolutionary psychologist Michael McCullough believes that not only is there true altruism amongst the human species, but that it is a unique trait, an emerging and spreading trait, and it is selected for by evolution, even out-competing the more familiar traits of selfishness that drive evolution in other species. And the trait is responsible for moral progress in the world. Barry is skeptical, and calls friend of the show Kieran Setiya to talk him out of his skepticism, only to discover that, in many ways, humans are even worse than he thought. We may have evolved to demand altruism from others, but not be altruistic ourselves.
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God and the Space-time Manifold is a summer seminar at Rutgers Center for the Philosophy of Religion June 13-24th, 2022. Twelve philosophers will lead discussions about God and the philosophy of time. They are looking for applicants. All professional philosophers and graduate students qualify.
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