What if racism is an evolutionary response?

[OldWiseGuy]

If so there is little we can do about it. Evolutionary change cannot be legislated just because we don't like something about ourselves. Thoughts?

 

[Speedwell]

If so there is little we can do about it. Evolutionary change cannot be legislated just because we don't like something about ourselves. Thoughts?

Yes, it is possible tht a racist response is part of our nature. But as one of my favorite theologians, Miss Rose Sayer, once put it, "Human nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we were put in this world to rise above."

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Yes, it is possible tht a racist response is part of our nature. But as one of my favorite theologians, Miss Rose Sayer, once put it, "Human nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we were put in this world to rise above."

But doesn't human nature present consciously, while evolutionary response is unconscious?

 

[Speedwell]

But doesn't human nature present consciously, while evolutionary response is unconscious?

No, human nature is the entirety of our nature. That the "unconcious" is part of our nature doesn't mean it is outside of our control, or else we would be incapable of moral agency.

 

[Aussie Pete]

If so there is little we can do about it. Evolutionary change cannot be legislated just because we don't like something about ourselves. Thoughts?

You have exposed one of the flaws in evolutionary theory. You could say the same about criminal tendencies. Someone using their intelligence to steal what you've worked for is a great survival skill - if evolution is true. Adolf Hitler used evolutionary theory to justify genocide. Others have used evolution to justify slavery. It's a flawed concept that diminishes mankind and produces moral relativism that is destructive to society.

 

[Strathos]

You have exposed one of the flaws in evolutionary theory. You could say the same about criminal tendencies. Someone using their intelligence to steal what you've worked for is a great survival skill - if evolution is true. Adolf Hitler used evolutionary theory to justify genocide. Others have used evolution to justify slavery. It's a flawed concept that diminishes mankind and produces moral relativism that is destructive to society.

That's like saying that the theory of gravity is wrong because people have used it to drop bombs.

 

[grasping the after wind]

You have exposed one of the flaws in evolutionary theory. You could say the same about criminal tendencies. Someone using their intelligence to steal what you've worked for is a great survival skill - if evolution is true. Adolf Hitler used evolutionary theory to justify genocide. Others have used evolution to justify slavery. It's a flawed concept that diminishes mankind and produces moral relativism that is destructive to society.

And therefore saying "I was born this way" is not a legitimate argument for accepting racism or pedophilia or any other behavior that one might consider improper.

 

[dzheremi]

If so there is little we can do about it. Evolutionary change cannot be legislated just because we don't like something about ourselves. Thoughts?

I think it's a good thing that Charles Darwin produced evidence for his theory by studying nature on the Galapagos islands, rather than posting hypotheticals on the internet.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

If so there is little we can do about it. Evolutionary change cannot be legislated just because we don't like something about ourselves. Thoughts?

I believe it can also be called tribalism. This has always been around.

 

[Speedwell]

You have exposed one of the flaws in evolutionary theory. You could say the same about criminal tendencies. Someone using their intelligence to steal what you've worked for is a great survival skill - if evolution is true. Adolf Hitler used evolutionary theory to justify genocide. Others have used evolution to justify slavery. It's a flawed concept that diminishes mankind and produces moral relativism that is destructive to society.

It's a flaw to use evolution as the basis of morality. It makes no more sense than using gravitation theory or thermodynamics as the basis of morality.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

No, human nature is the entirety of our nature. That the "unconcious" is part of our nature doesn't mean it is outside of our control, or else we would be incapable of moral agency.

How do we change what we aren't aware of?

 

[Speedwell]

How do we change what we aren't aware of?

By first becoming aware of it. Didn't we just go into this already on another thread?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You have exposed one of the flaws in evolutionary theory. You could say the same about criminal tendencies. Someone using their intelligence to steal what you've worked for is a great survival skill - if evolution is true. Adolf Hitler used evolutionary theory to justify genocide. Others have used evolution to justify slavery. It's a flawed concept that diminishes mankind and produces moral relativism that is destructive to society.

Although within the concept of 'mutualism' the thief mustn't steal everything from the victim lest there be no one to steal from later and the whole enterprise collapses.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

By first becoming aware of it. Didn't we just go into this already on another thread?

I didn't accept those conclusions.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Although within the concept of 'mutualism' the thief mustn't steal everything from the victim lest there be no one to steal from later.

Oh that's easy. Find enough people to steal from and simply wait until the original victim has restored his goods. It's standard practice among professional thieves. They know that insurance will cover most losses. Continue the cycle at will. How can there be right or wrong in an evolutionary system?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It's a flaw to use evolution as the basis of morality. It makes no more sense than using gravitation theory or thermodynamics as the basis of morality.

Several have posited that even our thoughts are the product of evolution.

 

[Aussie Pete]

It's a flaw to use evolution as the basis of morality. It makes no more sense than using gravitation theory or thermodynamics as the basis of morality.

Exactly. If evolution is true, there is NO basis for morality.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Oh that's easy. Find enough people to steal from and simply wait until the original victim has restored his goods. It's standard practice among professional thieves. They know that insurance will cover most losses. Continue the cycle at will. How can there be right or wrong in an evolutionary system?

True. Many businesses are robbed multiple times.

 

[Speedwell]

Oh that's easy. Find enough people to steal from and simply wait until the original victim has restored his goods. It's standard practice among professional thieves. They know that insurance will cover most losses. Continue the cycle at will. How can there be right or wrong in an evolutionary system?

Why do you look to the theory of evolution to provide you with moral compass?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

It's a flaw to use evolution as the basis of morality. It makes no more sense than using gravitation theory or thermodynamics as the basis of morality.

What is the basis of morality?