The Evolution of Morality and ReligionMany philosophers and theologians write about morality and its origins without reference to biological processes such as evolution. In turn, biologists discuss phenomena of importance to human morality and religion without taking account of the ideas of those who think deeply about these subjects. Donald Broom argues that morality and the central components of religion are of great value, and presents two central ideas : that morality has a biological foundation and has evolved as a consequence of natural selection, and secondly, that religions are essentially structures underpinning morality. |
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Contents
Concepts and codes of living | 1 |
12 The complexity of brain control | 4 |
13 Ideas about the origins of morality | 10 |
14 Morality distinguished from sexual | 14 |
15 Codes of conduct | 16 |
16 Consequences of social evolution | 19 |
17 Cooperation and morality | 22 |
18 Morality and religions | 26 |
45 Development of morality in the young | 152 |
46 Morality and law | 157 |
47 Conclusions about the evolution of morality | 161 |
The origins and value of religion | 164 |
52 Other aspects of religious practice | 168 |
53 Goodness glory and paradise | 173 |
54 The evolutionary basis of religion | 176 |
55 The effects of new knowledge on religion | 181 |
Cooperation altruism reciprocal altruism | 30 |
22 Cooperative behaviour in animals | 38 |
23 Competition aggression and war | 70 |
24 The evolution of altruism | 75 |
Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality | 84 |
33 The capacity for recognising others | 87 |
34 Awareness and consciousness | 90 |
35 Feelings and emotions in relation to morality | 98 |
36 Cognitive responses to moral issues | 105 |
37 What is needed biologically for morality? | 109 |
Ideas about morality | 115 |
42 Obligations rights and evaluation | 127 |
43 Knowledge and conscience | 134 |
44 Morality in relation to codes of sexual behaviour | 140 |
56 Harms associated with religious practice | 185 |
57 The value of religions and their future | 189 |
Other views about the origins of morality and religion | 194 |
62 The selfish gene sociobiology morality and religion | 197 |
Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion | 204 |
72 Our views of other species | 212 |
73 Morality and religion in other species | 217 |
Conclusions | 223 |
References | 230 |
Species list | 246 |
| 248 | |
| 252 | |
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Common terms and phrases
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Bibliographic information
| Title | The Evolution of Morality and Religion |
| Author | Donald M. Broom |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 2003 |
| ISBN | 0521529247, 9780521529242 |
| Length | 259 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / General Science / Life Sciences / Biology Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects Social Science / Anthropology / Physical |
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