The Exaggerated Moral Claims of Evolutionary Psychologists |
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Authors: | Moses L Pava |
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Institution: | (1) Accounting and Business Ethics, Yeshiva University, 500 W. 185th St, New York, NY, 10033, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | This article explores and examines some of the findings from the burgeoning field of evolutionary psychology. How important
are these results to our understanding of morality and ethics? In addition, more specifically, how important are theses results
to our understanding of business ethics? I believe that the jury is still out on these questions. This article: (1) summarizes
some of the strengths of evolutionary psychology (of which there are several); (2) identifies specific findings and suggests
that many of these findings are overstated and exaggerated; and (3) points out several methodological limitations and weaknesses.
The article does not, in the end, recommend jettisoning evolutionary psychology. To the contrary, its point is that evolutionary
psychology is a potentially useful method among many others to help us to better understand our “moral universe.” However,
evolutionary psychology will never allow us to pierce through “the illusions that evolution and culture have saddled us with”
as the psychologist Steven Pinker over-promises. This is true for the simple reason that science itself is both a product of evolution and a cultural practice. The aspiration of some evolutionary psychologists to transcend evolution
(nature) and culture (nurture) through science is itself a dangerous illusion. Nevertheless, evolutionary psychology’s modest
findings to date are a welcome contribution to anyone interested in making better and wiser ethical decisions, business or
otherwise. The more knowledge we gain about our own brains and how they functions the better. These findings, however, should
be subject to the same systematic scrutiny and healthy skepticism one would apply to any moral or ethical claim regardless
of its origins. That is the purpose of this article. |
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Keywords: | dialog evolutionary psychology Jonathan Haidt Steven Pinker |
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