A reply to Antony Flew's discussion of "E.O. Wilson after 20 years."
Article Abstract:
Antony Flew fails to distinguish clearly between causal determinism and moral agency in his discussion of sociobiology. Flew inappropriately applies Hume's skeptical argument on causality to raise doubts concerning the causal basis of human agency. Furthermore, he fails to give adequate consideration to the role played by emotions in decision-making. Finally, sociobiology raises the possibility of actually altering human nature and changing the course of evolution, whereas philosophical consideration of moral agency can only lead to conceptual change.
Publication Name: Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0048-3931
Year: 1995
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A defense of Darwinian accounts of morality
Article Abstract:
A defense is given of Michael Ruse's sociobiological account of morality. Topics include Ruse's version of the sociobiological account of morality, supporting cross-cultural data from Peter Singer, and critical responses to the sociobiological account from Philip Kitcher, Antony Flew, Owen Flanagan, Thomas Nagel, James Miles, Peter Singer, and Dale Jacquette.
Publication Name: Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0048-3931
Year: 2001
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Psychological hedonism, evolutionary biology, and the experience machine
Article Abstract:
The evolutionary biological argument against psychological hedonism is explained concluding that in its current form it is not strong enough to support its conclusion. It is further argued that despite recent criticisms of Robert NatickEs experience-machine argument, its still a good argument against psychological argument.
Publication Name: Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Subject: Social sciences
ISSN: 0048-3931
Year: 2004
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