The Evolution of Morality and Religion
1st Edition
Published on 20. December 2004
978-0-511-05562-1 (ISBN)
Description
Accepted codes of conduct and established religions are features of human societies throughout the world. Why should this be? In this book, biologist Donald Broom argues that these aspects of human culture have evolved as a consequence of natural selection; that morally acceptable behaviour benefits the humans and other animals and that a principal function of religion is to underpin and encourage such behaviour. The author provides biological insights drawn especially from work on animal behaviour and presents ideas and information from the fields of philosophy and theology to produce a thought-provoking, interdisciplinary treatment. Scientists who read this book will gain an appreciation of the wider literature on morality and religion, and non-scientists will benefit from the author's extensive knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying the behaviour of humans and other social animals.
Reviews / Votes
'it remains an interesting question how the theist - whose religious participation stems primarily from her belief that God really does exist - will want to take Broom's important biological insights and incorporate them into her own account of how god might have provided humans with a sense of morality.' Expository TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
1,06 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-511-05562-1 (9780511055621)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Donald M. Broom
The Evolution of Morality and Religion
Book
12/2003
Cambridge University Press
€105.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Donald M. Broom
The Evolution of Morality and Religion
Book
12/2003
Cambridge University Press
€71.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Donald M. Broom is Colleen Macleod Professor of Animal Welfare in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge.
Content
Introduction; 1. Concepts and codes of living; 2. Cooperation, altruism, reciprocal altruism; 3. Biological capabilities needed for altruism and morality; 4. Ideas about morality; 5. The origins and value of religion; 6. Other views about the origins of morality and religion; 7. Social and political consequences of this biological view of morality and religion; 8. Conclusions; Indexes.
