How Organism-First Biology Undermines Evolutionary Debunking of Morality

Can biology tell us anything about morality? According to evolutionary debunkers, biology tells us that morality is an illusion; we only believe in moral goodness and badness because doing so promoted the propagation of our genes in the past. However, this view is based on an evolution-first understanding of biology, in which evolutionary explanations account for all other biological properties. Every organism is the way it is because evolution made it so. But in recent years, a new biological framework has been developing. That is organism-first biology, in which it is the agency of the organism that explains other biological observations–including evolution. This talk will discuss the implications of organism-first biology for the relation between biology and ethics.

Alex is a PhD student at the IHPST focusing on ethics grounded in the philosophy of biology and cognitive science. In particular, he is researching the relevance of biological and cognitive conceptions of agency to ethical theories.

Alex has an MA from the IHPST, and studied cognitive science and psychology at U of T. He also has a BA in Creative Writing and Religious Studies, a Bachelor of Journalism, and a Master of Data and Investigative Journalism from the University of King's College in Halifax. He previously worked for many years as a reporter and podcaster at the Canadian Jewish News.