Evolutionary psychology or sociobiology is causing a stir in some places. If you're like me, you have no idea what these are or why you should even care. I would normally agree with you, except that as more and more "anti-christian, anti-God, anti-church" books and articles are being written, more and more of our country and world will not only be hearing about these ideas but listening to them.
These two terms seek to relate human behavior to our genetic makeup, or more specifically to our genetic ancesters.
Examples:
(1) Richard Dawkins, British biologist explains former President Clinton's sexual foibles as the alpha male dominating and monopolizing all females to insure the survival of the species. Its in the genes.
(2) Steven Pinker, a "telegenic science popularizer," says that infanticide (killing unwanted babies) is built into our biology - specifically into the mother as a means of natural selection. Its in the genes.
(3) Robert Wright, author of "The Moral Animal," says that freedom is an illusion; we are captive to and puppets of our genes, having ultimately no free will.
Therefore, by examining our evolutionary history and our genetic predispositions, we can identify behaviors which have survival or adaptive value. Therefore, what some call sinful behavior or actions may be simply the survival of the fittest. So instead of "the devil made me do it," its "in my genes."
The obvious conclusion to this nonsense is that no one is realy guilty of anything but everyone is only acting out of his genetic evolutionary makeup. WOW! That is such a relief! In order for my family and I to survive and propagate the species, I can anything I want and not feel a shred of remorse.
Lest we think this all just psycho-evolutionary-biology-think, we have another think coming. Underlying all this gobble-de-gook is a real contemporary philosophical and moral standard affecting millions across America. I am the center of my universe and I do whatever it takes to succeed and thrive. My self worth depends on it. And so does my future. I want to propagate me, and if I have no God and no basis for morality, I am the only thing that matters.
With standards for everything being relative and based on our evolutionary understanding of mankind, the above becomes the logical conclusion.
Only when I remember that I am created in God's image by God Himself, and that Jesus shows me the true God and the truth of how I should live, can I understand how to begin to have moral/ethical guiding principles. I have no doubt that genes play a significant role in our psychological make up and our behavior. But I also know that that is only one aspect of my humanity and in particular how I relate to other people and things.
The Christians among us have the task of continuing to proclaim that God has created us with a conscience, that there are standards of right and wrong, and that the principles of love and truth found in Jesus are the only real hope for the world.
Charlie
These two terms seek to relate human behavior to our genetic makeup, or more specifically to our genetic ancesters.
Examples:
(1) Richard Dawkins, British biologist explains former President Clinton's sexual foibles as the alpha male dominating and monopolizing all females to insure the survival of the species. Its in the genes.
(2) Steven Pinker, a "telegenic science popularizer," says that infanticide (killing unwanted babies) is built into our biology - specifically into the mother as a means of natural selection. Its in the genes.
(3) Robert Wright, author of "The Moral Animal," says that freedom is an illusion; we are captive to and puppets of our genes, having ultimately no free will.
Therefore, by examining our evolutionary history and our genetic predispositions, we can identify behaviors which have survival or adaptive value. Therefore, what some call sinful behavior or actions may be simply the survival of the fittest. So instead of "the devil made me do it," its "in my genes."
The obvious conclusion to this nonsense is that no one is realy guilty of anything but everyone is only acting out of his genetic evolutionary makeup. WOW! That is such a relief! In order for my family and I to survive and propagate the species, I can anything I want and not feel a shred of remorse.
Lest we think this all just psycho-evolutionary-biology-think, we have another think coming. Underlying all this gobble-de-gook is a real contemporary philosophical and moral standard affecting millions across America. I am the center of my universe and I do whatever it takes to succeed and thrive. My self worth depends on it. And so does my future. I want to propagate me, and if I have no God and no basis for morality, I am the only thing that matters.
With standards for everything being relative and based on our evolutionary understanding of mankind, the above becomes the logical conclusion.
Only when I remember that I am created in God's image by God Himself, and that Jesus shows me the true God and the truth of how I should live, can I understand how to begin to have moral/ethical guiding principles. I have no doubt that genes play a significant role in our psychological make up and our behavior. But I also know that that is only one aspect of my humanity and in particular how I relate to other people and things.
The Christians among us have the task of continuing to proclaim that God has created us with a conscience, that there are standards of right and wrong, and that the principles of love and truth found in Jesus are the only real hope for the world.
Charlie
Labels: Moral Foundation
posted by Charlie | 11:26 AM
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