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The EVOLUTION of MORALITY |
IMAGE 25A-1, 25A-2 |
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| Concept/Content |
expression of emotion / example from Darwin's book (contrary dog postures) |
| Information caption
(IMAGES 25A-1 to 25A-5) |
Social coordination among organisms, in general, is enabled and further facilitated by communication. Moral behavior is no exception. In sketching the possible roots of moral responses, Darwin (1871) noted the role of organisms being able to interpret the needs of others in order to assist them. Darwin underscored the role of language, but he also understood the role of non-linguistic communication. For example, emotions are typically expressed externally, through anatomically distinct postures or facial configurations. They offer important clues about the internal mental states of other organisms. Darwin followed Descent of Man with a whole volume exploring The Expression of Emotions in Humans and Other Animals (1872). |
| Inquiry caption |
In Descent of Man, Darwin identified the development of language as one of the four elements central to the development of human moral sentiments. (The others were social instinct, memory, and habit.) In what ways might communication be essential to or contribute to moral behavior, or (for Darwin) responses based on moral sentiments or feelings?
Darwin followed Descent of Man with a whole volume exploring non-linguistic communication: The Expression of Emotions in Humans and Other Animals (1872). Here are some samples: a "hostile" dog and a "humble and affectionate" dog illustrate his principle of antithesis -- that opposite emotions are associated with opposite postures or muscles. . . . [continued...]
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| Source |
Darwin, The Expression of Emotions in Humans and Other Animals (1872) |
| SIZE in pixels |
494x352; 494x323 |
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