本文透過當代演化倫理學的理論，對道德根源問題提出演化論上的解釋，並進一步反省其解釋的局限性及其倫理意涵。道德根源問題是倫理學的基本問題，涵蓋許多重要的哲學討論。演化倫理學的加入，為這項討論帶來了新的契機，從原本的哲學思辨，轉而成為具有實證依據的科學性解釋。從演化論的角度解釋人類的道德現象，引發出對於人性以及道德根源的不同理解。這些理論經常引起一些爭議，除了過度化約以及生物決定論的問題之外，許多哲學家認為生物學的知識不能回應倫理學的核心問題，而質疑演化倫理學的研究取向。 透過概念分析，筆者將｢道德根源問題｣展開成諸多面向，一一分析演化倫理學對此的解釋。除了適度釐清一些爭議以外，也從中說明這些解釋的倫理學意涵。在道德起源的解釋上，可以透過演化論提出說明，但對於倫理學關心的道德規範問題，就不是演化論知識可以證成的。演化倫理學認為道德規範不具有絕對性，而沒有提出一個道德規範的根據。這可能是演化倫理學的局限，也可能是它對於傳統倫理學可能提出的洞見。對演化倫理學來說，道德規範是一個選取的問題，可以透過演化論的解釋了解道德根源的本質，從而做出更加理想的判斷。The purpose of this dissertation is to discuss the limitations of evolutionary ethics in respect of its interpretation of the origin of morality, and further to reflect on its ethical implications. The origin of morality is a fundamental question of ethics covering several important philosophical discussions. Evolutionary ethics has brought a new opportunity for this discussion with empirical knowledge. From the perspective of evolutionary theory and its explanation of the phenomena of human morality, a different understanding of human nature and moral roots emerges. However, this new perspective also involves some criticism, such as the problems of excessive reductionism and biological determinism, many philosophers have argued that knowledge of biology can’t respond to the core issue of ethics, and questioned the approach of evolutionary ethics. Through conceptual analysis, I will divide "the origin of morality" into different aspects, and elaborate the explanation of evolutionary ethics. In addition to clarify some controversial issues, I will explain the ethical implications of this explanation. The theory of evolution can provide a certain explanation of the origin of morality, but it can’t justify the source of normativity. Evolutionary ethicists don’t think that moral codes are permanent. Therefore they didn’t provide any justification for that. This may be the limitations of the evolutionary ethics as well as its insight for traditional ethics. According to evolutionary ethics, codes of ethics will change when time goes by. That is just a matter of choice. It can be explain by theory of evolution and help us to make optimal choices among the competing criteria of progress.
