Ethics Based on the Science of Evolution: Nature & Nurture
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In formulating and presenting an ethical system based on the science of evolution, instead of religion or philosophy, it would appear to be appropriate to use the methods of science. Thus, the terms to be used are defined, references are given and the methodology of mathematics is employed. However, this will be done in a simple way and the reader will not have to know any formal science or mathematics beyond high school. After defining the initial terms to be used and some elements of the scientific method, a synopsis is given which explains the whole ethical system based on the science of evolution in simple terms without elaboration, references or justifications, all of which will be presented in the subsequent parts and chapters. With the structure, or "bare bones" of the proposed ethical system in mind, then the subsequent materials are presented in that concept, fleshing out the "bare bones." Statements that are not supported by factual evidence are labeled as opinions or conjecture. The words ethics and morals, as defined in various dictionaries overlap and are defined in loose terms. These two words, ethics and morals, will be used in this book as follows: a. Both ethics and morals are descriptions of human behavior. Such behavior may deemed to be "good" or "bad," or "right" or "wrong." These last four terms require definitions, which will be provided later in the context of the proposed system of scientific ethics. b. Morals are based on religious precepts from a supernatural being. c. Ethics are based on the reasoning of a philosopher. d. Ethics based on science, as described later, will be called SciEthics in order to distinguish them from the ethics defined above. It is acknowledged that the above definitions are not exactly as defined by Webster, but they are given here explicitly, so that the reader will not have to guess at the meanings used by the author. Defining terms used is one rule of the scientific method. An interesting experiment by the reader would be to look up in any dictionary the definitions of ethics and morals and the four terms still requiring definition. The definitions as given by Webster (1951) and Webster (1985) are shown in Note 1.
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About the Book
This book is the extended outcome of an argument between the author and his Rabbi. The latter insisted that the morals in the Talmud represented the best basis of human behavior while the author argued that no document written five thousand years ago could reflect the knowledge acquired in that 5000 years, particularly the scientific advancements of the last 300 years. After several inconclusive continuations of these different viewpoints, Rabbi Galpert suggested I write him a sermon reflecting my viewpoints. "But don’t make it more than thirty minutes." Since my education was that of a mechanical, and later a nuclear engineer, I reviewed many modern books on evolution, psychology, anthropology and sociobiology. Then one night I conceived the following approach: A basic assumption: The most important thing in life is life itself. And the axiom: What our ancestors did that resulted in our being here, were the right things for us to do. So all I had to do was list the things they must have done so that I am here. Skipping the extensive definitions of terms used, the absence of absolutes, the scientific method, but including the origin and the strong role of religion, I came up with the following primordial laws (PLs).
All of the above PLs are treated in detail in the book. We also look to the future. The method of applying hierarchical order of these PLs is illustrated. The treatment of exceptions shows the difference between scientific and religious considerations. The reader is encouraged to his/her reaction to this book with additions, changes and suggestions. Credit will be given.
About the Author
The author was born on June 23, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the lower East Side of Manhattan and later in the west Bronx. He studied engineering at the Cooper Union in New York City. He graduated in 1940 with a BS in mechanical engineering. His first exposure to rocketry was via a senior study project on rocket powered airplanes. Gordon concluded that they were not feasible. Exposure to V-1s and V-2s in Europe during W.W.II and participating in a raid on Penemunda showed that he did not deserve an A for his senior project. He joined Aerojet Engineering Corporation in Azusa in July of 1945. He worked on liquid propellant rocket engines and rotating space power systems. He refused an assignment to a nuclear project because he knew nothing nuclear and was sent back to school in July of 1955. At UC Berkeley, he learned all about neutrons, protons, electrons, and nuclear reactors. Gordon did his thesis at the Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory and received a Ph.D. in engineering science in September of 1962. He then worked at Aerojet General Nucleonic in San Ramon on small mobile nuclear power plants for the Army and NASA, where he became the vice president and technical director. In June, 1965, he was transferred back to Azusa because of a severe problem with the Snap 8 nuclear program. In Azusa, he became the Head of Mechanical Operations and was responsible for a space nuclear power system, advanced composite structures, and small free-flooded submarines used in naval covert operations. This is when he learned to scuba dive. With a new Aerojet management installed in 1970, he did not see any future for mechanical operation in an electronics division. After much discussion, he and two associates purchased the Advanced Composite Division and left Aerojet in May of 1970 to become entrepreneurs. The division was renamed Structural Composites Industries (SCI). The goal of SCI was to convert aerospace technology to commercial products. Solid rocket motor cases were redesigned to be high pressure gas containers. SCI went from 95% aerospace to 90% commercial and is today, the world’s major supplier of light weight, high pressure composite gas cylinders. Operating in the commercial world was exciting, and being under-financed was very challenging. An excellent offer induced the sale of SCI in May, 1983. Retired and recovering from open heart, by-pass surgery in August, 1984, he turned his attention to writing a book of ethics based on science.