Hi Arnold

RE: “Arguing that cultures do evolve toward increasingly perfect programs to guide how we act as a species is quite opposed to the traditions of analytic philosophy.”

Yes, I think you’re right. But over the last two or three decades, analytic philosophy has drifted away from its traditions. At least that’s my impression. I think it ended up being bored out of its mind by its original program (who wouldn't be?) so it's taken up various pet ideas like this one. (I guess it had to go somewhere!)

Re: “standards of morality must derive from the use of human moral reasoning to justify not only behaviors but the standards themselves.

Belief in the value of “human moral reasoning” (as distinct from divine Revelation etc) dates from the 18^th century. Yet since then we have had war, destruction, cruelty, and atrocity on an unprecedented scale.  Who now really believes in the civilized, rational man that the 18^th was so enthusiastic about? We pay the idea lip service because we can hardly do otherwise. But “rational man” is an empty dream now, is he not?

DA