Darwin on the Evolution of Morality

Uchii, Soshichi (1999) Darwin on the Evolution of Morality.

Abstract

Darwin argued for the biological basis of morality in his Descent of Man
(1871). Beginning with the thesis of the continuity of man and animals,
he tried to explain the origin of the moral sense, or conscience, as
understood as an ability to discern right and wrong, and to feel guilty
if one realizes to have done wrong. His argument is that, in any animal
with social instincts and sufficient intellectual powers, a moral sense
would be developed. Although Darwin's argument had some missing links,
I try to show that his argument can be consistently reconstructed, in
view of the recent development of evolutionary biology and behavioral
ecology. As I understand, Darwin's basic tenet is reductionism via
evolutionary processes (natural selection, in particular): morality can
be reduced to a combination of non-moral factors, each of which can be
shared with other animals; you do not have to assume that morality is
sui generis.