Publications [#288038] of John E. Staddon
search www.pbs.duke.edu.Papers Published
- Staddon, JER, Scientific imperialism and behaviorist epistemology,
Behavior and Philosophy, vol. 32 no. 1
(December, 2004),
pp. 231-242 [Gateway.cgi] .
(last updated on 2024/04/17)Abstract:
E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner have argued for an evolutionary ethics that allows what ought to be to be derived from what is-ethics from science. Evolution is inherently unpredictable, however, and some practices whose benefits cannot be proved might nevertheless turn out to be good for the survival of a culture or the race. Other practices that seem to be good might turn out to be bad. Consequently, the evolutionary - argument implies that a successful culture will believe some things that cannot be proved, and it tells us that we cannot know in advance what those things will be.