The evolution of morality through niche construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22370/lv.2024.30.2.4647Keywords:
evolution, ecology, morality, evolutionary psychology, ecological niche construction, ontogenetic niche constructionAbstract
This article attempts to offer an explanation in terms of ecology and development of the evolutionary origin of morality in human beings. To offer this explanation, the article will be divided into four parts, with the first part functioning as a justification of the purpose of the article rather than as part of the proposal. The initial section will outline the way in which biology can explain the existence of moral behaviour in a species, which is a sine qua non condition for the following. In the next section, the notion of ecological niche construction and how it can be applied to the evolution of morality will be explained. Then, it will be explained how a similar notion can be used for how ontogenetic development occurs in one direction and not in another. In the final section, it will be explained in what way it is possible for ostensible objects to affect the way the mind proceeds.
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