Evolution, morality, and the meaning of life

Abstract

Transcendental foundations for morality and meaning are logically insufficient, yet the transition toward evolutionary naturalism does not inevitably result in nihilism. A mechanistic understanding of the world, rooted in Darwinian natural selection, provides a comprehensive account of the moral sense as an extension of social instincts and intelligence. Conscience and altruism are not products of supernatural design but are evolved traits favored for their survival value in cooperative populations. By contrasting Kantian rationalism with Humean skepticism, it becomes clear that moral motivation originates in the passionate nature of the species rather than in transcendental reason. Sociobiological theories further challenge the perceived autonomy of ethics, proposing that moral principles are rooted in the biological imperatives of the human lineage. Although this perspective undermines the concept of absolute, cosmic moral truths, it affirms that the structural stability of human values is secured by the biological constraints of the mammalian social plan. Morality functions as a robust, non-arbitrary system for social regulation, necessitating a shift from metaphysical justification to empirical explanation. The absence of an external, objective foundation for values is mitigated by the persistent reality of human nature, which ensures the continuation of moral conduct regardless of theoretical uncertainty. – AI-generated abstract.