The Progressive Moral Reasoning of PZ Myers

The New York Times article noted in my last post states that advances in evolutionary science suggest that it is now for biologists, not philosophers or theologians, to say what the moral rules are. What better time to look at the moral views and example of one biologist, PZ Myers.

Here are a few quotes, reflecting Myers' thoughtful reflections on mankind's deepest moral issues:

Get meaner.

[O]ne of the things that really annoys me about my side of the debate is that so many sit in such terror of making anyone unhappy that they avoid any vigor in the arguments; they seem to blanch in terror that whomping down hard on the stupidity of their so-called "allies" will cause them to run away. Their strategy is to toady up to creationists and fencesitters and pious twits and ignorant theologians and little old ladies who faint at the sight of monkeys, and hope that mewling softly will win them over. Others can coddle the fools who dither and simper wishfully over gods and old myths and apologetics, but some of us have to charge forward and stake out a solid position, one that excludes altogether the ancient fairy tales.

Here is another:

Please don’t try to tell me that you object to the tone of our complaints. Our only problem is that we aren’t martial enough, or vigorous enough, or loud enough, or angry enough. The only appropriate responses should involve some form of righteous fury, much butt-kicking, and the public firing and humiliation of some teachers, many schoolboard members, and vast numbers of sleazy far-right politicians.

Yes, history has shown that getting meaner is very effective in resolving societal conflicts and dealing with the people with whom you disagree. Imagine a world in which everyone asks the simple question: What would PZ do?