Why do we have morality, in the evolutionary account presented?

• A. To help us take care of others within our groups, not as much for outsiders
• B. To maximize personal gain in all contexts
• C. To enforce cultural norms only
• D. To ensure strict obedience to authority

Answer: (A)

Morality from an evolutionary viewpoint serves to promote cooperation within groups. In our ancestral environments, living and working together with those in our social circle increased chances of survival and reproductive success. Acts of helping, sharing, and fairness toward group members built trust, made collective tasks—like defense, foraging, or caring for offspring—more efficient, and reduced costly conflicts. Because interactions with outsiders are less predictable and long-term benefits from those ties are weaker, the same moral norms tend to apply more strongly to in-group members. This in-group focus helps groups function smoothly and improves their overall success, which, in turn, favors the spread of prosocial tendencies.

So, the best description is that morality evolved to help us take care of others within our groups, not as much for outsiders.