It has been a while since my last entry<\/a> in this series on Keith Ward\u2019s book The Big Questions in Science and Religion<\/a><\/em>. Chapter 8 looks at attempts to explain morality, and religious beliefs, in evolutionary terms. His short answer is that, unless one accepts a purely reductionistic approach, then we cannot. We may be able to explain certain instincts and inclinations in evolutionary terms, but as long as we have some notion of free will, then evolutionary biology will not be able to guide us as to what we should <\/em>do (p.202). When Ward asks whether the usefulness of altruism for survival among our ancestors in the distant past is adequate justification for the practice of altruism in the present, he answers as follows: \u201cIt is not, any more than it is a reason for swimming now that our first ancestors were probably rather like tadpoles. It is always interesting to know how we evolved, what our imprinted behavior patterns are, and why they are the way they are. But if we can choose which inclinations to follow, we need some other reason for our choices\u201d (p.203). As he puts it elsewhere, \u201cwe need to have reasons, not just causes, for our responsible actions\u201d (p.205).<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Here\u2019s a great quote from this chapter: \u201cReligion, like morality itself, can be used to bolster sets of values that are oppressive to many \u2013 the systematic subjugation of women throughout recorded history is often justified by appeal to \u201cmoral\u201d values of family and sexual modesty. What is needed is not more morality but more of a sort of morality that takes the flourishing of all beings seriously and that opposes violence and oppression. Similarly, we do not need more religion but more of a sort of religion that reinforces compassion for all beings and nonviolence\u201d (p.196).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/tracker\/7622297540113836091-6299135841103929472?l=exploringourmatrix.blogspot.com\")
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