Abstract:
Only a small number of theologians attempt to explore the critical and constructive
contributions theology can make to evolutionary accounts of morality. J. Wentzel van
Huyssteen can be considered a pioneer in the science and theology discourse, with a special
interest in the origin of morality as part of his pursuit of a more profound notion of human
uniqueness in science and theology. In this article, the origin of moral awareness and morality
will be explored by combining a variety of perspectives, including evolutionary anthropology,
in an attempt to gain a more responsible notion of ethics and clarify its relationship to Christian
theology. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this study, in conversation with Van
Huyssteen, reveals the necessity of distinguishing between moral awareness and morality,
that is, moral norms, judgements and conventions. Evolutionary explanations of our innate
sense of morality cannot explain any of our moral judgements or justify the truth claims
regarding our moral judgements. Gaining insights from philosophy and developmental
psychology, the origin of moral norms, judgements and conventions are explored on a more
interactive level of cultural evolution and niche construction. Finally, this article briefly
explores whether Van Huyssteen’s post-foundational rethinking of the imago Dei can offer
insights into how this bottom-up approach to moral awareness and morality relates to
Christian theology and ethics.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article, in conversation with
Wentzel van Huyssteen, explores the origin of moral awareness and morality and its relation
to ethics. The interdisciplinary conversation covers the fields of evolutionary anthropology,
developmental psychology, philosophy and theology within the contemporary science and
theology discourses.
