Figs in Winter
Aug 19, 2024

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I’m going to challenge you on the animals are civil thing. I do understand what you’re getting at, I think. But the very concept of civility, or of moral behavior, is inherently human, as far as we can tell. So other animals just behave, neither civilly/morally nor the opposite. Of course, natural selection has favored certain behaviors that, if observed in humans, we would declare to be moral (e.g., taking care of one’s offspring). But since there is (again, as far as we can tell) no deliberate decision behind it, to use moral language is a category mistake. But otherwise I agree with you.

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Figs in Winter
Figs in Winter

Written by Figs in Winter

by Massimo Pigliucci, a scientist, philosopher, and Professor at the City College of New York. Exploring and practicing Stoicism & other philosophies of life.

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