Evolutionary Purpose of Morality

[Wootah]

I think I worked it out.

The evolution purpose of morality is to forget the evil we have done and do.

No one can cope with the horror show of biology and human history. We are all descended for murderers, etc.

So in response morality evolved to help with an illusion that we are the good guys.

Does anyone want to debate my notion on the evolution of morality?

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Edited by otseng

[Purple Knight]

I think it's much simpler than that. But I admit I can't explain the purpose of what morality has morphed into now, because it hurts its carriers.

Originally it could just be a matter of the big picture result of people preferring those who benefit themselves.

But as to complete selflessness and helping your enemies hurt you? That has no evolutionary purpose and could very well be some form of denial, as you say.

[Wootah]

[Replying to Purple Knight in post #2]

Well letting your enemies hurt you does have advantages. Think of immunisation. Taking some small part of the thing that hurts you does help you.

I think morality is a form of denial. Yes.

There are a lot of advantages in thinking you are the good guy.

[Tcg]

Thoughts?

Moderator Action

"Thoughts?" is not a proper question for debate.

Moved to Random Ramblings. Please review the Rules and Tips on starting a debate topic.

[Purple Knight]

Well letting your enemies hurt you does have advantages. Think of immunisation. Taking some small part of the thing that hurts you does help you.

Imagine letting someone kill you. I think the pinnacle of modern morality is that, or letting them kill your children. That has no evolutionary advantage. It does have advantages for the people peddling it, if they can get out of doing it.

There are a lot of advantages in thinking you are the good guy.

There are more still if you can get other people to think it.

[Wootah]

Well letting your enemies hurt you does have advantages. Think of immunisation. Taking some small part of the thing that hurts you does help you.

Imagine letting someone kill you. I think the pinnacle of modern morality is that, or letting them kill your children. That has no evolutionary advantage. It does have advantages for the people peddling it, if they can get out of doing it.

There are a lot of advantages in thinking you are the good guy.

There are more still if you can get other people to think it.

Yes well I agree too much death ain't good.

But death is the key instrument of evolution.

And totally agree that if we can trick others then morality has an advantage. It's a camouflage.

[POI]

Does anyone want to debate my notion on the evolution of morality?

'Morality' is basically making a subjective judgment upon a witnessed, experienced, or heard about action. The question then becomes,,, Where do morals come from?

Off the top of my head, below are a list of just some of the reason(s) we humans possess 'morality':

- homeostasis (Maslow's hierarchy)
- consequentialism
- cooperation
- game theory
- empathy
- evolution (tribalism)
- reciprocal altruism
- humans being extremely altricial
- elders teaching the younger ones how to co-exist in society

And to your post, I'd say Christianity is there to remind us that we humans are all 'bad', and are in need of a human scape goat - (Jesus) - to save us from ourselves

If you do a deep dive with all the listed topics above, you may better understand the evolutionary purpose of morality.

[Tcg]

I think I worked it out.

The evolution purpose of morality is to forget the evil we have done and do.

No one can cope with the horror show of biology and human history. We are all descended for murderers, etc.

So in response morality evolved to help with an illusion that we are the good guys.

Does anyone want to debate my notion on the evolution of morality?

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Edited by otseng

Moderator Intervention

otseng's edit doesn't turn this into a proper question for debate. It now reads like a request for an H2H. However, he is the boss so debate it is. In his haste to salvage this topic however, he inadvertently moved it to the wrong subforum. It's not a topic of Christianity or Apologetics. This is a better fit. Besides there are some folks quite well versed on evolution here so it will get the attention it deserves.

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[Wootah]

[Replying to POI in post #7]

I think I am diving deep below all that.

You can argue for your view.

On Christianity it is the only religion I am aware of that says we are fundamentally bad. Inadequate or missing the mark.

But that realisation is a gift. A person can only grow when they are humble and realise they don't know anything. The best pianist is the one that fixed all their mistakes best for example.

Morality is camouflage as discussed, like peacock feathers. Praying in public or doing good deeds where they can be seen is the perfect illusion to show to prey.

I saw a video of a fish swallowing another fish because the mouth looked like a cave.

But I think the self deception of morality is an even deeper factor. It's how 'good people' sleep so well at night.

[POI]

[Replying to Wootah in post #9]

I already spoke to this... Your response parrots or mimics the already given assertion for the Christian. Which is to mean, "we are all filthy sinners and are in need of redemption.". I would agree in that this is exactly what Christianity tells its readers, from the Bible. The ultimate take-away question then becomes, what IS "good"? Is it whatever this so-called God proclaims 'good' to be?