Abstract

Alexander engages in an ambitious and interesting undertaking which carries a sociobiological orientation closer to philosophical ethics. After arguing that evolutionary biology offers a great deal of knowledge about the natural history of man, Alexander seeks to derive moral systems from genetic reproductive drives and phenotypic selfishness. Basically, it is held that the conflict of interests among individuals transforms a natural, organic self-interest into a kind of social altruism which, in general agreement with Darwin, has biological survival value. In a sense, many of Alexander's arguments unwittingly recapitulate Nietzsche's claim that altruism is but disguised egoistic self-interest. This is a fortiori the case when Alexander emphasizes the role of deception in human relationships and insists that self-deception serves to deceive others.