Lens Case

The theory of evolutionary ethics posits that what we now understand to be good ethical behavior is a result of the survival instinct. Humans, as social beings, have evolved universal ideas of right and wrong in order to ensure the survival and success of their social units. When one individual, who acts altruistically, competes with another individual, who acts selfishly, the selfish individual will win. However, historically groups competed with one another for resources. When a group is full of altruistic people, the group's needs come first. On the other hand, when there are too many selfish people, placing their needs above the needs of the group, the group does not compete as well. Therefore, the groups with the greatest percentage of altruistic people survived, while those with a large percentage of selfish people perished. Since we share the genes of the groups that survived, evolutionary ethics claims we have their ethical natures.

We can apply this theory to everyday life to understand individual choices. For example, Joe cheats on his mid-terms and finals, demonstrating his selfish nature. Since he prefers a high grade, he uses any means (i.e. cheating) to achieve the preferred end (i.e. high grade). However, Joe's individual gains hurt the class. Joe is using unfair advantages to achieve a high grade. By obtaining a high grade through cheating, he is unfairly lowering his peers' grades, since the class is graded on a curve.

Peter, on the other hand, is placing others before himself. Peter feels an affiliation with Joe, which prevents Peter from reporting his friend to an authority figure. Peter is taking his tests fairly, and his grades may be suffering for it. Despite these negative effects, Peter remains quiet about Joe's misconduct.

Maria shares Peter and Joe's bond considering the three students are in the same section. However, Maria does not like to have her grades suffer. She feels more competition