Social Environment and Moral Progress by Alfred Russel Wallace

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About this eBook

Author Wallace, Alfred Russel, 1823-1913
LoC No. 13009158
Title Social Environment and Moral Progress
Credits Produced by MWS, Adrian Mastronardi, Michael Zeug, Lisa
Reigel, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net, in celebration of Distributed
Proofreaders' 15th Anniversary, using images generously
made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries.
Summary "Social Environment and Moral Progress" by Alfred Russel Wallace is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work explores the complex relationship between morality and the social environment, delving into how morality has evolved and what influences it. The author emphasizes that moral progress is contingent upon the social context in which individuals operate, questioning the inherent understanding of right and wrong across different cultures and epochs. The opening of the text introduces the concept of moral progress, urging readers to consider that standards of morality shift significantly over time and between societies. Wallace critiques the notion that moral understanding is instinctual, pointing out that moral values often reflect societal conventions rather than universally inherent truths. He systematically lays out the groundwork for examining morality's historical foundations, illustrating his argument with historical examples, such as the shifting perceptions surrounding slavery. This sets the tone for a thorough exploration of how humanity’s moral framework is shaped by social conditions, the historical context of these morals, and the need for a careful selection process to foster moral improvement. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class HM: Social sciences: Sociology
Subject Natural selection
Subject Social ethics
Category Text
EBook-No. 50289
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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