What is the evolutionary basis of ethics?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The evolutionary basis of ethics lies in natural selection, as behaviors that promote the survival and reproductive success of individuals and their kin are likely to be favored and passed on to future generations. This has led to the development of social and moral norms, such as cooperation, fairness, and altruism, that enhance the fitness of individuals and groups. Heredity and artificial selection may play a role in shaping specific traits or behaviors, but they do not provide a comprehensive explanation for the origins and function of ethics. Eugenics, or the selective breeding of humans based on genetic traits, is a morally controversial and scientifically unsound approach that has no relevance to the evolution of ethics.

What Is the Evolutionary Basis of Ethics