Acquired Moral Truths

Abstract

The Evolution of Morality is a clear, highly provocative, and thoroughly enjoyable book. It beautifully integrates lessons from recent experimental psychology with work in evolutionary theory and philosophical ethics, making it essential reading for anyone interested in naturalistic approached to morality. In the first part of the book, Joyce argues that our capacity to make moral judgments is innate, and, in the second half, he argues that a fully developed naturalistic account of morality can be used to debunk moral realism. I disagree with both of these claims, and I will take them up in turn. But it will also become clear that there is much I agree with in this book.