4. Comparative Moralities

We begin with moralities based on an evolutionary account of human origin and development. First comes a widespread view. Science Has Destroyed the Traditional Basis of Morality As representatives of this view we may quote, at the scientific level, Professor William Provine, once again: The implications of modern science, however, are clearly inconsistent with most religious traditions. No purposive principles exist in nature. Organic evolution has occurred by various combinations of random genetic drift, natural selection, Mendelian heredity, and many other pur-poseless mechanisms. Humans are complex organic machines that die completely with no survival of soul or psyche.. . . No inherent moral or ethical laws exist, nor are there absolute guiding principles for human society. The universe cares nothing for us and we have no ultimate meaning in life.1 There are no gods and no designing forces that are rationally detectable. The individual human becomes an ethical person by means of two primary mechanisms: heredity and environmental influences. That is all there is. . . Fourth, we must conclude that when we die, we die and that is the end of us. . . Finally, free-will as it is trad...