The Secret Chain: Evolution and Ethics (Suny Series in Philosophy an (SUNY series in Philosophy and Biology) - Softcover

Bradie, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791421066 ISBN 13: 9780791421062

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1994

Synopsis

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1 Ethics and Evolution

The Secret Chain

Epistemology from an Evolutionary Point of View

Ethics from an Evolutionary Point of View

Morals and Models

Evolution and Ethics

2 Altruism, Benevolence, and Self-Love in Eighteenth Century British Moral Philosophy

Introduction

Benevolence and Self-Love from Hobbes to Mackintosh

The Eighteenth Century Legacy

3 The Moral Realm of Nature: Nineteenth Century Views on Ethics and Evolution

Introduction

Natural Facts and Natural Values

Nature, Culture, and Conflict

4 Human Nature

Introduction

The Concept of Human Nature

Human Nature and Moral Theory

Human Nature and Ideology

Does Darwinism Undermine the Concept of Human Nature?

5 Three Contemporary Approaches to Evolutionary Ethics

Introduction

The Wisdom of the Genes: The Sociobiology of Ethics

Richard Alexander and the Biological Basis of Morality

Robert Richards and the Revised Theory

General Conclusion

6 Darwinism and the Moral Status of Animals

Introduction

Singer's Expanding Circle Argument

James Rachels on "Moral Individualism"

Rodd on the Rights of Animals and Our Duties Toward Them

Conclusion

7 Final Reflections

Summary of the Argument

The Biological Roots of Morality

The Relevance of Darwin for Moral Philosophy

Bibliography

Index

About this title

About the Author

Michael Bradie is Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University.

Edition details

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0791421066
• ISBN 13: 9780791421062
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216