Whenever morality comes up in discussions, some atheists argue evolution is sufficient to explain morality. In this video, Karlo explains why this argument fails and why God is necessary for a complete account of morality.
Transcript:
Whenever morality comes up in discussions, some atheists argue evolution is sufficient to explain morality. They’ll say, “Morality is merely a product of evolution—the behavior patterns we call morality have been naturally selected for the survival of our species.”
Is evolution sufficient to explain morality? Do we need to give God the boot when it comes to morality? The answer’s no, and here are some reasons why.
For argument’s sake, let’s say morality is merely the product of evolution. The question still remains why I ought to behave in a way that will benefit the survival of our species. Whence does my moral obligation come?
If there were no God, then the dictates of our evolved nature wouldn’t express the intelligence or will of any rational being superior to humans.
But if that’s the case, then how could something that is the byproduct of random and chaotic non-rational processes morally bind anyone? Intuitively we see that this doesn’t make sense. But we can do better than intuition.
As Thomas Aquinas explains in his Summa Theologiae, law is “an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community” and is “imposed on others by way of a rule and measure.” But this necessarily presupposes a being of intelligence and volition who can impose it.
Therefore, if the evolved order of human nature that determines what’s good for us is to be a law that morally binds us, there must exist a being superior to humans who have intellect and will and has care over the human community. Without such a personal being, like God, there could be no moral obligation.
So, unless one is willing to say moral obligation doesn’t exist, one should reject the idea that evolution is sufficient to explain morality.
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For Catholic Answers, I’m Karlo Broussard. Thanks for watching.