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Author Topic:   The moral implications of evolution, and their discontents.
Stile
Member
Posts: 4295
From: Ontario, Canada
Joined: 12-02-2004


Message 3 of 124 (438425)
12-04-2007 2:46 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Chiroptera
12-04-2007 2:03 PM


Not evolution, but our intellect
I was all worried until I read this part:
Chiroptera writes:
It is my position that there are no moral, social, or philosophical implications to the theory of evolution. The theory of evolution is simply a description of observable phenomena, and the use of those phenomena to explain other observable phenomena.
I agree completely.
I think that any moral, social and philosophical tendancies we have as humans are a result from our intelligence and being able to conceptualize such ideas. That intelligence may be from evolution, but where the intelligence comes from is irrelevant when discussing what we can do with that intelligence.
It is trivial to show that we can use our intelligence to override instincts or primitive "natural behaviour" we may still carry around. That is, if I wanted to, I could decide not to eat, and die. Or, simpler, I can teach myself not to flee in terror when scared or startled. Many people even use their intelligence to decide not to have babies. Therefore, since our intellect can override our basic instincts, any ideas created from that intellect can be kept separate from our own natural origination.

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 Message 1 by Chiroptera, posted 12-04-2007 2:03 PM Chiroptera has not replied

  
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