达尔文:真正的伦理学家——达尔文道德进化论的规范内容

Darwin:an Authenic Ethicist

在《人类的由来》中,达尔文试图彻底地从自然主义的角度对良心这种道德意识进行阐释。但是,他的道德或良心进化论不仅具有描述或说明的维度,而且包含了丰富的规范内容:他把恩爱、同情心和社会性本能当作“人的道德组成的最初的原则”,表明他站在利他主义立场上反对利己主义道德原则;他也没有简单采用功利主义道德原则,不是把“最大多数人的最大幸福”而是把“社群利益”当作最高的道德标准;他把“你们愿意人这样待你们,你们也怎样待人”这个“应然”的规律当作人类道德的基础;在论述人类道德的进化时,他站在自己鲜明的价值立场上对种种愚昧、野蛮的行径展开批评,等等。对达尔文而言,对事实的描述和说明同价值或道德规范的设定是完全一致的。把达尔文当作主张弱肉强食的社会达尔文主义者是对达尔文的一大误解。

In the Descent of Man, Darwin attempted to explain this kind of ethical consciousness of the conscience in terms of naturalism completely. However, he not only described or explained his morals or conscience evolutionism, but also constructed the abundant contents of standardizing. He regarded affectionate, sympathy and social instinct as ＂the first principle that people＇ s morals make up＂, indicating that he standed on the altruism position objecting to the ethical principle of egoism; He had not adopted the morals principle of utilitarianism briefly, regarding ＂not overwhelming majority of people＇ s greatest happiness＂ but ＂community＇ s interests＂ as the supreme moral standard. He regarded the law ＂treat people as people treat you＂ as mankind ethical foundation. While describing mankind＇s ethical evolution, he standed on one＇s own distinct value position launching criticism to all sorts of ignorance, barbarous conduct, ect. As to Darwin, description and explanation of the fact are totally identical with the settlement of value or code of ethic. It is the great misunderstanding to Darwin to regard Darwin as the person who maintains social Darwinism that the weak are the prey of the strong.