The Purpose of Evolution

Enlarge Image Image Gallery "Evolution's Purpose," by Steve McIntosh, reveals the purpose of evolution — to grow toward ever-widening realizations of beauty, truth and goodness. Cover Courtesy Select Books

Does the science of evolution really prove that life, humanity, and the universe as a whole are meaningless accidents? In Evolution's Purpose (Select Books, 2012), author Steve McIntosh argues that the purpose of evolution is not "intelligently designed" or otherwise externally controlled; rather, its purpose is being creatively and originally discerned through the choices of the evolutionary creatures themselves. The book's preface, which is excerpted below, details McIntosh's ideas on cultural evolution and  the role of philosophy within the broader context of the theory of evolution.    

Even though I became a “grown-up” many years ago, I have not stopped growing. While my physical body is no longer growing, my mind and character have continued to develop. And as a result of my ongoing personal evolution I have become increasingly sensitive to the problems of the world. Indeed, many of us who have received the educational and economic benefits of living in the developed world now feel a sense of personal responsibility to help improve the human condition and combat the global problems that increasingly threaten us. Although humanity will most likely adapt to our changing world, as our large-scale problems continue to mount the potential regression of our civilization in the decades ahead is becoming a real possibility. It appears that the challenges of the twenty-first century will test humanity like never before; and the only way we will be able to deal with these challenges comprehensively is through  cultural evolution .  

Cultural evolution, however, is a difficult and problematic subject. A significant number of influential scholars, policymakers, and journalists feel that the very idea that some cultures are “more evolved” than others is misguided and potentially racist. Yet those who deny that human culture evolves are often the same ones who are demanding social change. Although there is widespread agreement about the need to address certain social problems, many of those who define themselves as “progressives” are nevertheless ambivalent about humanity’s potential to achieve lasting historical progress. And given the previous failures of progressive ideologies such as Marxism, there are many good reasons why we should remain cautious, or even skeptical, about theories of cultural evolution.