Philosophy Bites Hanno Sauer on The World History of Morality
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Jul 11, 2025 
Hanno Sauer, a Professor of Philosophy at Utrecht University, explores the evolutionary roots of morality and its significance in human cooperation. He discusses how similar moral norms span different cultures and challenges the notion of traditional ethical frameworks. Sauer delves into the balance of speculative history and philosophy, examining social contracts and the shift from kinship-based morality to universal principles. The conversation also reflects on Enlightenment thinking and the tension between genetic influences and our participation in moral norms.
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Morality Enables Group Cooperation
- Morality evolved to secure the benefits of cooperation in human groups.
- It enabled scaling up cooperation to build larger societies effectively.
Cultural Evolution Expands Morality
- Modern universal morality arose from cultural evolution disrupting kin-based societies.
- Western Church reforms dismantled kinship ties, enabling cooperation beyond blood relations.
Moral Universalism is Underrated
- Moral universalism is often rejected due to cultural and historical abuse.
- Despite abuses, empirical evidence supports shared fundamental moral values across cultures.
