A Review of the Systems of Ethics Founded on the Theory of Evolution

"A Review of the Systems of Ethics Founded on the Theory of Evolution" by Cora May Williams looks at the different ideas about right and wrong that came about because of evolutionary theory. It studies well-known scientists like Darwin and Spencer, and how their ideas changed how people thought about morality. The book talks about how social behaviors grew, how people developed a sense of right and wrong, and how humanity's morals improved supposedly, and connects these developments to evolution. The writing begins by making it clear that Williams wants to examine the new ethical theories that have sprung up because of evolution. The author recognizes that Darwin's ideas have greatly changed the way people think, especially about ethics, and points out the many books that now back up the evolutionary view of morality. The book suggests that understanding instinct and its origins is important for ethics, implying that our moral rules possibly come from the same evolutionary forces that shaped human behavior and society. This leads into a thorough study of different ethical views and how they relate to evolution.