ABSTRACT
After a presentation of some results from twin studies, Lindon Eaves asks about the meaning of these results for human religious and moral orientation. In my reaction I will first phrase what are, to my mind, the most important conclusions of the twin studies. Then I will concentrate on one element, that is the ‘personality’ factor in the question of the genetic origin of human behaviour. I will try to elucidate the aspect of personality from a philosophical point of view, introducing Charles Taylor’s concept of ‘strong evaluations’. Subsequently, I will ask a question about the relation between values and the oughts that Eaves is looking for in the interpretation of his results. I will conclude by asking to what oughts he seems himself committed.
