Argument

Evolutionary debunking

Overview

An evolutionary debunking, sometimes referred to as an evolutionary debunking argument or evolutionary debunking thesis, is a philosophical argument which holds that, because humans (like all organisms) have an evolutionary origin, the principles of ethics and morality that we have devised are invalid and cannot be considered objective knowledge. Proponents of such arguments argue that they refute, or at least cast doubt on, moral realism and/or theism. However, critics have argued that these arguments are themselves invalid.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

Philosophers who discussed Evolutionary debunking

• Peter Singer
• Richard Joyce (philosopher)

Related ideas

• Ethics (journal)
• Philosophical Studies
• Theism
• Morality
• Noûs
• Evolution
• Ethics
• Moral realism

Place in the tradition

Part of Eliminative materialism.

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