Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Evolutionary Debunking Arguments and Their Challenges to Human Knowledge

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
I critically examine and evaluate the cogency of four kinds of evolutionary debunking arguments in the literature. Specifically, I focus on Alvin Plantinga’s Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism, an argument aimed at establishing the conclusion that naturalism and evolution lead to an epistemic defeater that renders the conjoined belief in both irrational; Michael Ruse’s Evolutionary Ethics, aimed at establishing that an evolutionary genealogy of our moral sentiments proves morality to be an illusion; Sharon Street’s Darwinian Dilemma Against Realist Theories of Value, which aims to establish the implausibility of natural selection having produced cognitive faculties that accurately track the sort of moral facts posited by moral realists; and Richard Joyce’s Evolutionary Debunking of Morality, an argument to show that our moral judgments are unjustified and we ought to therefore adopt moral agnosticism. I argue that Alvin Plantinga fails to prove that the conjunction of naturalism and evolution lead to radical skepticism. Second, I argue that Michael Ruse draws the wrong conclusions from his evolutionary genealogy of morals and as a consequence fails to give a compelling argument against moral realism. By contrast, I defend Richard Joyce's and Sharon Street's arguments against various criticisms and conclude that they present a compelling epistemic challenge to justifications for moral realism.
James Petrik (Advisor)
John Bender (Committee Member)
Alfred Lent (Committee Member)
105 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ruiz , A. C. (2013). Evolutionary Debunking Arguments and Their Challenges to Human Knowledge [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1366735577

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ruiz , Andres. Evolutionary Debunking Arguments and Their Challenges to Human Knowledge. 2013. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1366735577.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ruiz , Andres. "Evolutionary Debunking Arguments and Their Challenges to Human Knowledge." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1366735577

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)