SCIENTIFIC IMPERIALISM AND BEHAVIORIST EPISTEMOLOGY

Abstract

E.O. Wilson and B.F. Skinner have argued for an evolutionary ethics that allows what ought to be to be derived from what is—ethics from science. Evolution is inherently unpredictable, however, and some practices whose benefits cannot be proved might nevertheless turn out to be good for the survival of a culture or the race. Other practices that seem to be good might turn out to be bad. Consequently, the evolutionary argument implies that a successful culture will believe some things that cannot be proved, and it tells us that we cannot know in advance what those things will be.