Writing Homework Help

Module 4: Discussion 1:

For this discussion, I would like you to go into the file below, which also appears in “Files” Selflessness downloadand discuss the brief reading regarding Desmond Morris’s position of selflessness.  You should address two questions with your views and arguments:

1) Could altruism be explained in terms of genes? Can you find any objection to this?

2) How would we determine guilt, and responsibility if all behaviors could be explained by genes?

Excerpt from Manuel Velasquez, Philosophy, a Text with Readings.

Selflessness090.pdf 

Reply to 

ara yousif

Could altruism be explained in terms of genes? Can you find any objection to this?

As Morris illustrates, altruism can be depicted in terms of genetic information. At first, genes can describe generosity to the degree that they intercede position assurance, drive the uniqueness of regenerative and aiding conduct, or keep up with such contrast. Additionally, qualities differentially communicated between conceptive (egotistical) and non-regenerative (philanthropic) ranks result in selflessness. Lastly, conceptive and non-conceptive actions of people inside positions or different gatherings can also be viewed as qualities for unselfishness (Morris, 1977).

On the other hand, the development of hereditarily based unselfish conduct could begin with natural signaled phenotypic variety in helping instead of imitating. This aspect could fill in as a substrate to advance restrictively communicated selfless alleles that set standing separation. The developmental change is eventually hereditary on the two occasions. There is no objection to this information. Therefore, altruism can be explained in terms of genetic information.

How would we determine guilt and responsibility if genes could explain all behaviors?

Our response to specific scenarios determines guilt. For example, in Desmond’s story of a man saving his daughter, selflessness is depicted when the man risks his life to save his genes in another body. However, if the man can save his daughter but fails to do so, he automatically becomes guilty of his actions. Additionally, if a person does not help another person, he/she develops guilt for not saving one of his own (Morris, 1977). Desmond states that the life we live is influenced by the people around us, most of whom are connected through genetic lineage. Thus, responsibility can be explained as the actions taken by a person to support or help another person when the need arises. On the other hand, guilt is the feeling that occurs when one fails to offer a helping hand in a situation.

Anthony

1) I feel like this study should be researched further because it is still too early to determine if altruism is triggered mostly by genes. Also, I don’t think that altruism is entirely caused by genes because helping out a stranger does not make me feel like I’m “helping copies of [my] genes,” as stated in the text. I think that altruism is from the development of self-awareness. A person who is aware of his surroundings and adapts to the situation to make it as nourishing as possible. It also has to do with time and age because people develop quicker than others. An objection could be someone who is helping out someone else because they think that if they do, they will get a reward of some sort in return. They want to feel socially accepted and valued because they live for that type of praise. Although they don’t necessarily give their reasons why they help out others, it can still come off as selfish if they look for recognition.

2) It would be difficult to determine if someone is guilty based on their genes. When it comes to guilt and responsibility, I think the best way to determine this is by examining people’s behaviors closely, instead of investing all the time into looking at genes. The goal is to not heavily rely on it because there is a possibility that a researcher can read it all wrong.