Evolution is the Source, and the Undoing, of Natural Law

Evolution and Human Behavior (special issue on Evolution and Law, Forthcoming)

10 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2021 Last revised: 21 Feb 2023

Date Written: November 13, 2021

Abstract

Research grounded in evolutionary theory holds the promise of explaining our moral intuitions in terms of the fitness benefits they conferred on our ancestors over time. This research suggests a view of morality as a set of reliably developing psychological instincts that are often universal, but not objective in the metaphysical sense. In this paper, I argue that this research may shed new light on the centuries-old debate surrounding natural law. By providing a scientifically plausible explanation for the moral intuitions at the heart of natural law theory, this research both (1) accounts for the emergence and persistence of the belief that a natural law exists, and (2) undermines one of the core tenants of natural law theory: that laws must necessarily give structure to our sense of morality.

Keywords: Morality, Natural Law, Evolutionary Analysis of Law, Legal Theory

Suggested Citation

Patrick, Carlton, Evolution is the Source, and the Undoing, of Natural Law (November 13, 2021). Evolution and Human Behavior (special issue on Evolution and Law, Forthcoming), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3962607

Carlton Patrick (Contact Author)

University of Central Florida ( email )

4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816-1400
United States

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