Synopses & Reviews
Science and the End of Ethics examines some of the most important positive and negative implications that science has for ethics. Addressing the negative implications first, Morris discusses how contemporary science provides significant challenges to moral realism. One threat against moral realism comes from evolutionary theory, which suggests that our moral beliefs are unconnected to any facts that would make them true. Ironically, many of the same areas of science (e.g., evolutionary biology, neuroscience, psychology) that present difficulties for moral realism point to a new ethical approach that focuses on achieving some of the key practical goals shared by ethicists. Chief among these is how to increase amicable behavior among people.
Synopsis
Science and the End of Ethics examines some of the most important positive and negative implications that science has for ethics. On the basis of strong scientific reasons for abandoning traditional notions of right and wrong, it endorses a new ethical approach that focuses on achieving some of the key practical goals shared by ethicists.
About the Author
Stephen G. Morris is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at The College of Staten Island, CUNY, USA.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Failure of Traditional Ethics
PART I: THE END (DEMISE) OF TRADITIONAL ETHICS
1. What Kind of Ethics Does Science Call Into Question?
2. The Evolutionary Challenge to Moral Realism
3. The Neuroscientific Challenge to Moral Realism
PART II: THE END (GOAL) OF TRADITIONAL ETHICS
4. Assessing the Empirical Case for Enlightened Self-Interest
5. Towards a Plausible Evolutionary Account of Altruism
6. Deciphering the Secret Chain
7. A New Age of Enlightenment or 'The End of the World'?