Love and morality

the possibility of altruism

Laurence Thomas

pp. 115-129

in: James H. Fetzer (ed), Sociobiology and epistemology, Berlin, Springer, 1985

Abstract

I endeavor to show that biology is more of an ally to morality than one might be inclined to suppose. My strategy is to look at the significance of love in the context of evolutionary theory and then make some careful extrapolations. By distinguishing between what I call transparent love and opaque love, I attempt to show that evolutionary theory favors our having the moral attitude of minimal respect for others. I also bring out the significance which love plays in our acquiring the virtue of self-command. I conclude with a few ruminations comparing my approach with the approaches of Thomas Nagel and of Philippa Foot.

Cited authors

Nagel Thomas

Foot Philippa