ASEBL Journal – Volume 10 Issue 1, January 2014
neurophilosophers, the short answer to Collins’ question is “Yes.” Collins may not
like Churchland’s thesis in Braintrust, but it is precisely because the people who hold
the purse strings for scientific research frequently share his dichotomized view that
Braintrust is a very timely and important argument.
- Eric Luttrell
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Dennis L. Krebs. The Origins of Morality: An Evolutionary Account. Oxford:
Oxford UP, 2011. 320pgs. $49.95US Hardcover. ISBN: 978-019977823-2
While there are many significant topics in evolutionary studies, the question about the
foundation of human morality is paramount, for the moral emotions (some of which
are evident in other primates) and moral reasoning (which we alone seem to have)
affect nearly every aspect of our lives. In spite of the daunting task of tackling the
biology (or evolutionary origins) of morality, some scholars (to name only a few)
have added considerably to the literature, in one form or another: Richard Alexander,
Robert Axelrod, Frans de Waal, W.D. Hamilton, Marc Hauser, Lawrence Kohlberg,
Peter Singer, Elliott Sober and D.S. Wilson, and Robert L. Trivers. (Christopher
Boehm’s most recent book, Moral Origins, has not been considered for this review.)
Nevertheless, this selective list could expand exponentially if we in 6