medium · MCAT Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills
Evolutionary debunking arguments are often met with the 'No-Over-Detection' defense. While evolution might explain our *initial* moral impulses, it cannot explain our ability to refine those impulses through reason. We evolved a sense of 'fairness' for small tribes, but reason allowed us to extend that fairness to distant strangers and even other species—an expansion that provides no reproductive advantage. This suggests that reason can 'over-detect' and eventually track objective moral truths that were not the original targets of natural selection.
Which of the following is most analogous to the 'No-Over-Detection' defense described?
- Humans evolved a grip for climbing trees, but now use that same grip to play the piano and write poetry.
- A chess-playing program eventually generalizes its search algorithm to master the unrelated game of checkers.
- A student who learns basic addition later applies that same skill directly to balance a checkbook.
- A bird evolves brighter plumage to attract mates after migrating into a new, more competitive environment.
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