Journal Articles
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.