Human Nature and the Limits of Darwinism
This book compares two competing theories of human nature: the more traditional theory espoused in different forms by centuries of western philosophy and the newer, Darwinian model. In the traditional view, the human being is a hybrid being, with a
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Human Nature and the Limits of Darwinism
Whitley R.P. Kaufman
Human Nature and the Limits of Darwinism
Whitley R.P. Kaufman Department of Philosophy University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Human Nature and the Limits of Darwinism ISBN 978-1-137-59287-3 ISBN 978-1-137-59288-0 DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-59288-0
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016942869 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016 The author(s) has/have asserted their right(s) to be identified as the author(s) of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Cover illustration: © The Natural History Museum / Alamy Stock Photo Cover design by Paileen Currie Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Nature America Inc. New York
CONTENTS
1
Introduction: Bridging the Two Cultures
1
2
The Traditional Theory of Human Nature
25
3
Does Science Refute Free Will?
49
4
Reason, Truth, and Evolution
67
5
Does Science Undermine Morality?
89
6
Is Utilitarianism a Scientific Morality?
111
7
Art, Beauty, and Darwinism
129
8
Literary Darwinism: Can Evolution Explain Great Literature?
151
v
vi
9
CONTENTS
Darwinism and the Meaning of Life
173
10 Conclusion
197
Bibliography
213
Index
219
CHAPTER 1
Introduction: Bridging the Two Cultures
For the last 500 years, the natural sciences have enjoyed an astonishing record of success in uncovering the mathematical laws that govern the natural world. Science has revolutionized human society, both in terms of technological advances that have vastly improved our standards of living and in its intellectual influence as a new way of understanding the world that has put the traditional worldview, that of religion, on the defensive. It has been one of the greatest intellectual achievements in human history, starting in Europe and sprea
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