Naturalistic Evolution and its Impact on Morality

What is the necessary impact of naturalistic evolution on morality? Evolutionist George Simpson affirmed:

·       Man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind.  He was not planned.  He is a state of matter, a form of life, a sort of animal…

Here are some moral implications to such a worldview:

1. If we are animals, then there is no reason to not treat us as animals. We cage animals and use them for experimentation. Why not also humans?

2. If we are just “a state of matter,” this deprives us of any dignity as humans. As such, we are just sophisticated wet machines. What happens when a machine no longer has a socially recognized use? It is thrown onto a junk heap.

3. If we are just the “result of a purposeless and natural process,” there is no intrinsic meaning or value to our lives. We therefore, do not have unalienable rights based upon the fact that we are created in the image of God. And without these rights, we have no intrinsic protections, but what society might temporarily grant.

4. If we have evolved, then some are more evolved than others. This has and will inevitably give rise to racism and its ill-effects.

Without God, there is absolutely no basis for objective moral law. Consequently:

1. We no longer can make any substantive moral judgments on anything, since we cannot say that there is any moral truth that judges rape, genocide, kidnapping… We cannot even say that ISIS’ conduct is wrong!

2. Psychologically, we condemn ourselves to a schizoid existence. In our heart, we know that rape is wrong, but in our mind, we believe that morality is just something that is made up.

3. We have deprived ourselves of our common moral language. There is no adequate way to determine who or what is right. We cannot blame our husband for beating us up, since, for him, the assault felt right. This will alienate people and undermine society.

4. Without objective morals, there can be no objective purpose to life. Therefore, purpose and meaning is something that is just subjective and will change as our feelings change. Our lives therefore are without stability and definition. Life then is reduced to the sensuous and the immediate where virtue can have little role to play.

5. We no longer have an adequate rationale to stand against our anti-social impulses. Why resist selfishness and why deprive ourselves if selfishness is just an idea we made up? Why resist hate and revenge if we think we can get away with it?