Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Concepts and codes of living
- 2 Cooperation, altruism, reciprocal altruism
- 3 Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality
- 4 Ideas about morality
- 5 The origins and value of religion
- 6 Other views about the origins of morality and religion
- 7 Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion
- 8 Conclusions
- References
- Species list
- Author index
- Subject index
3 - Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Concepts and codes of living
- 2 Cooperation, altruism, reciprocal altruism
- 3 Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality
- 4 Ideas about morality
- 5 The origins and value of religion
- 6 Other views about the origins of morality and religion
- 7 Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion
- 8 Conclusions
- References
- Species list
- Author index
- Subject index
Summary
CAPABILITIES
Any consideration of altruism, especially reciprocal altruism, or of moral codes depends upon a certain level of sophistication of brain functioning. If this level was not needed during evolution until the human species arose, then it is of little use to consider other species when trying to understand the basis for human morality. In this chapter, the abilities of humans and other kinds of animals for information processing, recognition of others, awareness, feelings and cognition are discussed. Different degrees of ability and the extent to which these qualities of individuals have evolved are considered.
WHICH BRAINS WOULD ALLOW RECIPROCAL ALTRUISM?
In order to reciprocate an altruistic act, it is necessary to remember and evaluate who conferred the benefit, what degree of benefit it was and what would constitute a similar benefit. These capabilities would also be used in order to identify any individual who cheated and failed to reciprocate. It is also necessary to have an adequate system for control of actions. An adequately functional brain would have to have evolved in order that the capabilities would exist. As Wilson (1978, p. 2) says:
The brain exists because it promotes the survival and multiplication of the genes that direct its assembly. The human mind is a device for survival and reproduction, and reason is just one of its various activities.
Whatever the level of analysis and decision making, it is the brain which does it.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Evolution of Morality and Religion , pp. 84 - 114Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003