Created from Animals: The Moral Implications of Darwinism

"Created from Animals" is an account of the relevance of Darwinism to ethics. It explains the development of Darwin's ideas and the essential evidence and arguments for the theory of evolution by natural selection, and how this can paradoxically foster altruistic, rather than egotistic, tendencies. The implications of this for conventional religion and ethics are fully set out, with Rachels arguing for a revised morality which does not centre on the idea that human beings are special. He proposes an outlook which includes concern for animals, but which acknowledges that in special circumstances the evidence of evolution justifies giving priority to one form of life over another.