Adaptation Quote by Richard Dawkins
“There is a whole field of inquiry that has come up in the last 30 or 40 years - some call it sociobiology or evolutionary psychology - relating to where we get our moral sense and why we value the idea of altruism, and locating both answers in behavioral adaptations for the preservation of our genes.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Selfish Gene, 1976
Moral behavior stems from evolutionary adaptations that promote gene survival.
In simple terms: Morality is evolutionary.
Key Takeaway
Recognize biological roots of ethics.
Themes
evolution
morality
altruism
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- public debate
Key Concepts
biology
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does evolution shape our values?
- Can altruism be purely genetic?
A Different Perspective
May reduce moral agency to genetics alone.
