Charles Darwin: The Moral Sense of Man and the Lower Animals

The Moral Sense of Man and Lower Animals, Darwin

Adult Great Books Program, First Series, Volume 2, 1985

Discussion Questions

1. Why is the term “ought” so important to Darwin? [page 1]

2. Darwin emphasizes “social instinct” as the foundation of the moral sense (conscience) of man [pages 2-7]. He also explains that many animals are social (bees, primates, dogs, etc.). Shouldn’t he then say that these “lower” animals also have a conscience? Why or why not?

3. Do dogs have a conscience? Do they feel shame?

4. “Anthropomorphism” is the “attribution of human motivations, characteristics, and behaviors to animals or inanimate objects”. Is Darwin guilty of anthropomorphism? How does this fit with his larger views of natural selection?

5. Darwin says [page 11, para 2] “It is, however, impossible to decide in many cases whether certain social instincts have been acquired through natural selection, or are the indirect result of other instincts and faculties…” What does he mean by this? How does he address it?

6. According to Darwin, what does “regret” depend upon [page 20]? Do you agree? Would Kant? Freud?

7. Darwin places great importance to the concept of a “tribe”. He says [page 23], “No tribe could hold together if murder, robbery, treachery, etc., were common…” What would Darwin say about the alarming rise in crime in our urban areas? What would he propose as a solution?

8. What are his views on slavery [page 24]? Does it offer survival value to tribes or communities that practice it?

9. Darwin makes repeated references to “savages”. What does he mean by that term? Does he see them as having a moral sense? What would move them “up” from a “savage” state?

10. In an apparent reference to Utilitarianism, Darwin discusses “greatest happiness” [page 26]. How does he view “happiness” vs social good? How do instincts play into his analysis?

11. Does Darwin see moral sense as “inherited” from your parents [page 31]? Is he right?

BONUS QUESTIONS!

12. What are the parallels between Darwin’s notions of “social instincts” and Rousseau’s thoughts on the “Social Contract”?

13. How would Darwin address Freud’s notion of the stress that civilization puts on individuals? Would he agree or disagree with Freud?