SOCIOBIOLOGY AND MORAL DISCOURSE

In the intellectual lineage of sociobiology (understood as evolutionar y social science), this article considers the place of moral discourse in the evolution of emergent systems for mediating behavior. Given th at humans share molecular systems, reflex systems, drive systems, emot ional systems, and cognitive systems with chimpanzees, why is it that human behavior is so radically different from chimpanzee behavior! The answer is that, unlike chimps, humans possess symbolic systems, empow ering them to override chimplike default morality in favor of symbolic ally mediated moral codes. The article concludes with a brief discussi on of the power of religious symbols to influence moral behavior by re programming emotional systems.