Serrelli E (2012). Structures and functions in the evolution of morality. The Evolution of Morality: The Biology and Philosophy of Human Conscience, Erice, Sicily, IT, 17-22 June 2012. http://www.evolutionofmorality.it/ http://www.epistemologia.eu

1. Structures and functions in the evolution of morality
Emanuele Serrelli
University of Milano Bicocca, Italy
Erice, Sicily (IT)
17-22 June 2012

2. Evolutionary explanations

3. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould &
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)

4. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould & A trait T
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)

5. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould & A trait T A function
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)

6. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould & A trait T A function
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)

7. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould & A trait T A function
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)
Morality?

8. Evolutionary explanations
“Panglossian”
or
“just-so story”
explanation
(Stephen Jay Gould & A trait T A function
Richard C. Lewontin,
“spandrels” paper, 1979)
Morality?
“Why do you evolutionists always try to
assess the value of anything even before
knowing what it is?”
(Francis Crick, in Gould 1991)

9. Moral traits - what is morality?

10. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE

11. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?

12. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?

13. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?

14. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?
an explanatory strategy?

15. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?
an explanatory strategy?
• Joyce: INDETERMINATE CONCEPTS

16. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?
an explanatory strategy?
• Joyce: INDETERMINATE CONCEPTS
• Churchland: RADIAL STRUCTURE AND FUZZY BOUNDARIES OF
CONCEPTS

17. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?
an explanatory strategy?
• Joyce: INDETERMINATE CONCEPTS
• Churchland: RADIAL STRUCTURE AND FUZZY BOUNDARIES OF
CONCEPTS
BUT scientific need for concepts

18. Moral traits - what is morality?
• Joyce: PRECISIFICATION OF MORAL SENSE
• Kitcher: “ETHICS” OR “MORALITY”? “JUST A TECHNICAL
PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM”?
lack of precisifications in the “evolution of morality” field?
still trying to get a grip?
an explanatory strategy?
• Joyce: INDETERMINATE CONCEPTS
• Churchland: RADIAL STRUCTURE AND FUZZY BOUNDARIES OF
CONCEPTS
BUT scientific need for concepts
at least, pragmatically, contextualizing results in certain premises

19. Moral traits - what is morality?
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition:
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION

20. Moral traits - what is morality?
The evolutionary relevance
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA of a trait depends
for trait recognition: on its inheritance pattern
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION

21. Moral traits - what is morality?
The evolutionary relevance
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA of a trait depends
for trait recognition: on its inheritance pattern
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Picture credits: "Autosomal recessive disorders" http://www.brusselsgenetics.be/p_453.htm // Wright (1931)

22. Moral traits - what is morality?
The evolutionary relevance
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA of a trait depends
for trait recognition: on its inheritance pattern
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Picture credits: "Autosomal recessive disorders" http://www.brusselsgenetics.be/p_453.htm // Wright (1931)

23. Moral traits - what is morality?
The evolutionary relevance
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA of a trait depends
for trait recognition: on its inheritance pattern
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Genes are all which is inheritable...
(The Modern Synthesis, 1920s-40s)
Picture credits: "Autosomal recessive disorders" http://www.brusselsgenetics.be/p_453.htm // Wright (1931)

24. Moral traits - what is morality?
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition:
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/2011/10/05/a-moral-gene/

25. Moral traits - what is morality?
Genes do not necessarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA lose their importance
for trait recognition:
(e.g., Churchland 2011)
• HERITABILITY
(e.g. kin selection
models of altruism evolution)
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION

26. Moral traits - what is morality?
Genes do not necessarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA lose their importance
for trait recognition:
(e.g., Churchland 2011)
• HERITABILITY
(e.g. kin selection
models of altruism evolution)
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION but heritability has a
larger scope today:
the heritability pattern of a
dynamic phenotype
Picture credit: Fusco (2011), in Evoluzione Modelli e Processi, ed. by Ferraguti
& Castellacci, Pearson, Italy.

27. Moral traits - what is morality?
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition:
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Picture credits: Flack & de Waal (2000), Journal of Consciousness Studies, p. 6.

28. Moral traits - what is morality?
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition:
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
“Twin and family studies
• FITNESS FUNCTION of
suggest a heritability
psychopathy in the range of about
70%; childhood conditions such as
abuse and neglect may contribute to
those who are genetically disposed”
Churchland 2011, p. 41)
Picture credits: Flack & de Waal (2000), Journal of Consciousness Studies, p. 6.

29. Moral traits - what is morality?
We are studying evolutionarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA relevant traits only if we can
for trait recognition:
assess their reliable
• HERITABILITY reappearance
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION

30. Moral traits - what is morality?
We are studying evolutionarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA relevant traits only if we can
for trait recognition:
assess their reliable
• HERITABILITY reappearance
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION “Biometrical population genetics”
(cf. Serrelli 2010, Lewontin 1980)
• FITNESS FUNCTION

31. Moral traits - what is morality?
We are studying evolutionarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA relevant traits only if we can
for trait recognition:
assess their reliable
• HERITABILITY reappearance
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION “Biometrical population genetics”
(cf. Serrelli 2010, Lewontin 1980)
• FITNESS FUNCTION
QTL - Quantitative Traits Locis
(cf. Hartl & Clark 2007, chp. 8)

32. Moral traits - what is morality?
We are studying evolutionarily
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA relevant traits only if we can
for trait recognition:
assess their reliable
• HERITABILITY reappearance
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION “Biometrical population genetics”
(cf. Serrelli 2010, Lewontin 1980)
• FITNESS FUNCTION
QTL - Quantitative Traits Locis
(cf. Hartl & Clark 2007, chp. 8)
Trait = inheritable pattern

33. Moral traits - what is morality?
Trait = inheritable pattern
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition:
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Picture credits:
chimps: http://angelorganic.org/darwin-mis-
interpreted/
birds: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/
2010/08/cheatin-hearts-get-stuck-with-th.html
ants: http://www.ridelust.com/traffic-congestion-and-
social-insects-we-can-learn-how-to-drive-from-ants/
V. Bulatov (2011), http://bulatov.org/math/1101/
webtalk.html

34. Moral traits - what is morality?
Trait = inheritable pattern
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition: Need for models
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL
VARIATION
• FITNESS FUNCTION
Picture credits:
chimps: http://angelorganic.org/darwin-mis-
interpreted/
birds: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/
2010/08/cheatin-hearts-get-stuck-with-th.html
ants: http://www.ridelust.com/traffic-congestion-and-
social-insects-we-can-learn-how-to-drive-from-ants/
V. Bulatov (2011), http://bulatov.org/math/1101/
webtalk.html

35. Moral traits - what is morality?
Trait = inheritable pattern
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition: Need for models
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL Homology:
VARIATION
pattern shows up
• FITNESS FUNCTION in different taxa
Picture credits:
chimps: http://angelorganic.org/darwin-mis-
interpreted/
birds: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/
2010/08/cheatin-hearts-get-stuck-with-th.html
ants: http://www.ridelust.com/traffic-congestion-and-
social-insects-we-can-learn-how-to-drive-from-ants/
V. Bulatov (2011), http://bulatov.org/math/1101/
webtalk.html

36. Moral traits - what is morality?
Trait = inheritable pattern
EVOLUTIONARY
CRITERIA
for trait recognition: Need for models
• HERITABILITY
• INTER-INDIVIDUAL Homology:
VARIATION
pattern shows up
• FITNESS FUNCTION in different taxa
Picture credits:
chimps: http://angelorganic.org/darwin-mis-
Trait of...
interpreted/
birds: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/
2010/08/cheatin-hearts-get-stuck-with-th.html
ants: http://www.ridelust.com/traffic-congestion-and-
social-insects-we-can-learn-how-to-drive-from-ants/
V. Bulatov (2011), http://bulatov.org/math/1101/
webtalk.html
a relevant unit

37. The function of morality
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are
functions. Function is
bound to Natural
Selection A trait T function?
flight?
(cf. Williams 1966)
effect
... effect e.g. thermoregulation?
e.g. mating?

38. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are
functions. Function is
bound to Natural
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966)

39. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966)

40. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966) (2) w = f (A, B, … T)

41. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966) (2) w = f (A, B, … T)

42. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966) (2) w = f (A, B, … T)

43. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966) (3) T = f (F, r)

44. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(cf. Williams 1966) (3) T = f (F, r)

45. The function of morality
(1) ΔqT = [sqT(1−qT)]/
[1−s(1−qT)]
(cf. Wright 1931)
In Neodarwinism not
all effects are Need to specify a “problem
functions. Function is
bound to Natural background” (cf. Kitcher 2011)
Selection
(3) T = f (F, r) Functioning
(cf. Williams 1966)
and roles are
not causal
upon traits
and structures

46. The function of morality
(3) T = f (F, r)
“...the palette of
neurochemicals... affecting
neurons and muscles is
substantially the same
across vertebrates and
invertebrates...”
(Churchland 2011, p. 45)
Picture credit: McPartland et al. (2006), Gene 370:64-74. http://
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378111905007067

47. The function of morality
(3) T = f (F, r)
oxytocin is found in all
vertebrates
(Churchland 2011, p. 45)
Picture credit: McPartland et al. (2006), Gene 370:64-74. http://
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378111905007067

48. The function of morality
(3) T = f (F, r)
“Oxytocin ... is at the hub of
the intricate network of
mammalian adaptations for
caring for others”
(Churchland 2011, p. 14)
Picture credit: McPartland et al. (2006), Gene 370:64-74. http://
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378111905007067

49. The function of morality
(3) T = f (F, r)
“...modest modifications in
exiting neural structures ...
can lead to new outcomes”
(Churchland 2011, p. 14)
Picture credit: McPartland et al. (2006), Gene 370:64-74. http://
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378111905007067

50. The function of morality
(3) T = f (F, r)
“a large... range of social
patterns found among
mammals..., but underlying
them are probably different
arrangements of receptors
for oxytocin and other
hormones and
neurochemicals”
(Churchland 2011, p. 14) Picture credit: McPartland et al. (2006), Gene 370:64-74. http://
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378111905007067

51. The function of morality
(3) ∆T = f (∆F, ∆r)
“Biological evolution does not achieve adaptations by
designing a whole new mechanism from scratch, but modifies
what is already in place, little bit by little bit. Social emotions,
values, and behavior are not the result of a wholly new
engineering plan, but rather an adaptation of existing
arrangements and mechanisms that are intimately linked with
the self-preserving circuitry for fighting, freezing, and flight, on
the one hand, and for rest and digest, on the other”
(Churchland 2011, p. 46)

52. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration

53. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free

54. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns

55. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models

56. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity

57. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution

58. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution

59. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution
• Functions
conceptual problems (e.g. Cummins 1975, Wright 1973, Millikan
1984, 1989, Griffiths 1993, Godfrey-Smith 1994, cf. Casebeer
2003)
Picture credit: http://www.azoft.com/spotlight/2011/05/05/15-bizarre-dead-tech-products.html

60. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution
• Functions
conceptual problems (e.g. Cummins 1975, Wright 1973, Millikan
1984, 1989, Griffiths 1993, Godfrey-Smith 1994, cf. Casebeer
2003)
sights for identifying traits
Picture credit: http://www.azoft.com/spotlight/2011/05/05/15-bizarre-dead-tech-products.html

61. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution
• Functions
conceptual problems (e.g. Cummins 1975, Wright 1973, Millikan
1984, 1989, Griffiths 1993, Godfrey-Smith 1994, cf. Casebeer
2003)
sights for identifying traits
crucial for Darwinian explanations
Picture credit: http://www.azoft.com/spotlight/2011/05/05/15-bizarre-dead-tech-products.html

62. Evolutionary explanations of morality
• Explanatory diversity and integration
• Traits/structures and functions are needed,
but don’t come for free
• Traits as inheritable patterns
models
homologies avoiding circularity
units of evolution
• Functions
conceptual problems (e.g. Cummins 1975, Wright 1973, Millikan
1984, 1989, Griffiths 1993, Godfrey-Smith 1994, cf. Casebeer
2003)
sights for identifying traits
crucial for Darwinian explanations
functions / effects
Picture credit: http://www.azoft.com/spotlight/2011/05/05/15-bizarre-dead-tech-products.html

63. THANK YOU!
Picture credits: http://www.azoft.com/spotlight/2011/05/05/15-bizarre-dead-tech-products.html

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