The Evolutionary Debunking of Morality

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March 21, 2023
Final Paper Philosophical Discussion
Introduction
According to Richard Joyce's paper, "The Evolutionary Debunking of Morality," morality is not an objective concept but the result of human development. To explain why we hold particular moral ideas and behave in particular ways, Joyce's argument rests on the concept that our moral beliefs and actions have an evolutionary foundation. In Joyce's opinion, the objectivity of our moral convictions is seriously questioned by the evolutionary foundation of morality. Our moral convictions lack the objectivity we usually associate with moral truths if they are only the result of evolution. In this essay, even if the evolutionary debunking argument raises issues with some notions of objectivity, it does not inevitably cast doubt on the objectivity of morality.
Background/Exposition
Joyce points out that our moral beliefs and behaviors have evolutionary roots that may help us understand why we have certain moral convictions and behave in specific morally appropriate ways. Joyce responds that the evolutionary origins of morality also pose similar severe questions about the objectivity of our moral judgments (Joyce). He observes that moral beliefs lack the objectivity we typically associate with moral truths if they are just the product of evolution.
According to Joyce, this lack of objectivity significantly undermines certain conceptions of moral realism. In particular, he argues that if moral realism is understood as the idea that moral truths are objective and unaffected by our beliefs and dispositions, then the evolutionary debunking argument provides a compelling reason to doubt their reality.
Original Contribution
Although I agree with Joyce that some concepts of moral realism are called into question by the evolutionary debunking argument, I want to counter that this does not necessarily mean morality is objective. Instead, I offer a concept of morality that is objective and consistent with the denial of evolution (Kahane).
We may better grasp moral objectivity by considering that our moral ideas and actions are based on facts beyond our attitudes and beliefs. As it does not require our moral beliefs and actions to be independent of our evolutionary history, this concept of moral objectivity is consistent with the evolutionary debunking argument.
Defense of Original Contribution
My theory of moral objectivity is consistent with how we often understand objectivity in other areas to justify it. For example, when it comes to science, we typically assume that theories are unbiased because they are founded on facts untouched by our thoughts and opinions. Our scientific belie...