Function, Fitness, Flourishing
Paul Bloomfield
Abstract
Abstract A naturalistic theory of moral realism, based on ancient Greek eudaimonism, is presented using concepts from biological and evolutionary theory. The general empirical claim is that each species evolves traits which promote flourishing in those individual members who develop them. Using biological analogies, Plato (Repub 352d–354c) and Aristotle (NE 1097b21–1098a20) gave their ergon arguments defending the functional excellence of the virtues and their central role in making human lives flourish. A new version of these arguments is based on a contemporary understanding of biological function and individual fitness, and a definition of “eudaimonia” constructed from this naturalistic basis. Human beings will live as well as possible by developing the virtues, for these traits allow us to act as well as possible regardless of the individual circumstances. Many standard objections are resolved, including Enoch’s “just too different” objection, Millgram’s Pollyanna objection, Copp and Sobel’s objection from relativism, and Watson’s gangster objection.