Survey: Darwinism is to blame for eroding belief in human dignity

A new Discovery Institute survey confirms what scholars have long thought: Darwinism erodes the belief that humans occupy an exceptional place among living creatures. The poll of 3,400 Americans reveals a belief in Darwinian evolution “undercuts traditional beliefs about human dignity and human uniqueness,” said Discovery Institute vice president and senior fellow John West.

Until now, evidence of the correlation came from individual cases, anecdotes, or comments from leading Darwinists, West said. Defenders of Darwin’s theory like to dismiss the claims, so the survey tried to measure the impact on the general population.

Those polled were asked if “Evolution shows that no living thing is more important than any other.” Forty-three percent agreed, and 45 percent believe that “Evolution shows that human beings are not fundamentally different from other animals.” The highest levels of support for the idea are found among self-identified atheists (69 percent), and 18 to 29 year olds (51 percent).

Most of the Americans surveyed (55 percent) view moral beliefs as a product of evolution, having changed over time and “based on their survival value in various times and places.”

“Historians and philosophers recognize that Darwinism denies teleology, [which is] the notion that there is a purpose or goal to the evolutionary process,” said California State University, Stanislaus history professor Richard Weikart. “They insist that the process is driven by chance events, not by any overarching plan or purpose.”

Evolutionary biologist and University of Chicago professor Jerry Coyne, in a lecture posted on YouTube, notes the atheist position that the universe is pointless and humans make their own meaning and purpose. Evolution played a key role in justifying that belief, or lack thereof.

“Evolution is the greatest killer of belief that has ever happened on this planet because it showed that some of the best evidence for God, which was the design of animals and plants that so wonderfully matched their environment, could be the result of this naturalistic, blind materialistic process of natural selection,” Coyne said.

But if life based on survival of the fittest is pointless, so is the morality that evolved with it. While Coyne believes human beings have no extrinsic purpose for living, he becomes indignant when Darwinism is blamed for mass shootings such as Columbine and Sandy Hook. That conclusion should not come as a surprise, Darwin’s critics say.

“Darwinists have been on the forefront of promoting abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, so seeing human life as essentially meaningless has significant consequences on human life and death,” noted Weikart, who is also a senior fellow with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture.

Intelligent design provides a “powerful antidote” to Darwinism because it challenges the misuse of science to undermine human dignity, West said.

“Far from showing that humans are the products of an unguided process, the real discoveries of science are revealing layer upon layer of purpose throughout every level of nature,” he said. “And far from showing that humans are not unique, the real findings of science continue to confirm just how special we are in many of our capacities, including language, mathematics, and even the ability to make and use fire, which made modern technology possible.”

While intelligent design doesn’t prove the Judeo-Christian account of human beings, it shows science is congruent with it, West said.

“Many Darwinists see humans as cosmic accidents produced by an impersonal universe, which reduces humans to insignificance,” Weikart said. “People who believe in God have a reason to value human life, which is the creation of a loving and personal God.”