Darwinian Ethics and Moral Realism

Abstract

Is taking the moral stance an adaptation? Can we explain being moral biologically or evolutionarily? Some say no. Others say yes, believing that only an evolutionary perspective can ground moral judgments. And still others (Ruse) believe that taking the evolutionary perspective undermines objective foundations for moral realism. Mizzoni defends the view that an evolutionary perspective on morality does not undermine moral realism. Mizzoni looks at arguments to the contrary by Michael Ruse and defends, against Ruse, the view that objective moral truths are compatible with a contingent human evolved nature in which those truths are based. Not unlike a linguist who argues for a shared, innate grammar, Mizzoni argues for a shared universal human nature in which could be grounded a deep structure to morality.