Darwin and the Meaning in Life

Abstract

It has often been thought, and has recently been argued, that one of the most profound impacts of Darwin's theory of evolution is the threat that it poses to the very possibility of living a meaningful, and therefore worthwhile, life. Three attempts to ground the possibility of a meaningful life are considered. The first two are compatible with an exclusively Darwinian worldview. One is based on the belief that Darwinian evolution is, in some sense, progressive; the other is based on the belief that the natural world is a thing of value and hence, that our lives are lived in the presence of value. The third is based on a belief in providence, and holds that we must transcend the exclusively Darwinian worldview if we are to find meaning. All three are, for different reasons, rejected. The conclusion reached is that, contrary to what has often been thought and recently argued, the impact of Darwin's theory is precisely to liberate us to lead the most meaningful of lives.

Consolations of Environmental Philosophy

“…Indeed, in their focus on normativity, impersonal principles, rationality, radical shift of perspective, and denial of appropriateness of grief and distress they may strike one as insensitive to the experiences of individual suffering. This is particularly so with Rolston, who takes the idea of systemic view of things to its logical consequence, something for which he has been in fact strongly criticized (Le Blanc 2001;Holland 2009;Plumwood 2012). However, if we look at the philosophical tradition of consolation, we can see striking affinities between the ancient and contemporary texts.…”

Why it is Important to Take Account of History

“…And on one view at least, the experiment is characterised through and through by contingency, randomness, bleakness and sorrow. This is the background against which we must 'do the environment' (Holland, 2009).…”

The Trouble with Environmental Values

“…For example, although Alan Holland has much to say about the various ways that natural things, organisms, places, processes and events matter to human beings, he worries that the concept of value might be nothing more than 'an empty place holder ' (2009: 510). Like those who practise environmental hermeneutics, he thinks that references to meaning tend to shed more light on our moral relations with nature (Holland 2009(Holland , 2011a(Holland , 2011b(Holland , 2012cf. Clingerman, Treanor, Drenthen and Utsler 2014).…”