Moral Psychology: Beyond Black & White
February 2023
Cornell University
Introduction
Dive into the mind-bending world of moral psychology with Cornell University's John M. Doris. Ever pondered if a person forced to commit a crime should be blamed? Or how our stories about ourselves might not always be the truth? Doris explores these captivating questions, revealing our moral judgments and the stories we tell might not be as black and white as we think. It's a wild ride through the ethics of our decisions and the narratives of our lives. Ready to question everything you thought you knew about right and wrong?
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Navigating the Maze of Morality
Imagine standing at a crossroads where every path you could take is shrouded in fog, and each step forward could change not just your life, but how the world sees you. Welcome to the complex world of moral psychology, where the study of right and wrong goes beyond the black and white to explore the vast grays in between. This field isn't just about figuring out what makes an action good or bad; it's about understanding the why behind our decisions, the stories we tell ourselves to justify them, and how our relationships and societal values shape our moral compass. Whether you're deciding who to trust, how to act in a tough situation, or just trying to understand yourself a bit better, moral psychology shows us that our moral judgments and behaviors are influenced by a myriad of factors, many of which we might not even be aware of. This exploration could help you navigate your own moral maze, making you more aware of why you believe what you believe and perhaps even leading to more compassion for others' choices.
Speak like a Scholar
Moral Psychology
The study of how people think about morality, make moral decisions, and behave in moral contexts. It combines philosophy with psychology to understand the roots of our ethical beliefs.
Causal Judgment
This refers to our assessment of the reasons behind an event or action. In moral psychology, it explores how we determine the causes of moral actions and their implications.
Moral Transgression
An action that violates a moral or ethical principle. Moral psychologists study why people commit moral transgressions and how society responds to them.
Disposition vs. Situation
This debate centers on whether our actions are more influenced by our character (disposition) or by our circumstances (situation). It's a key consideration in understanding moral behavior.
Rational Failures
Situations where people act without logical reasons or create justifications for their actions that may not hold up under scrutiny. It explores the limits of human rationality in moral decision-making.
Humanist Tradition
A philosophical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively. Moral psychology challenges this tradition by highlighting our rational and moral limitations.
Independent Research Ideas
The Role of Emotion in Moral Judgments
Investigate how emotions like empathy, anger, or disgust influence our moral decisions. This could involve psychological experiments or analysis of literary characters to understand the emotional underpinnings of morality.
Technology and Moral Decision-Making
Explore how the use of technology, such as social media or AI, affects our moral judgments and behaviors. This could include studying the impact of anonymity online on moral transgressions or how AI might teach us about human morality.
Cultural Variations in Moral Values
Delve into how different cultures view moral issues like loyalty, authority, harm, and fairness. This could involve comparative studies between cultures or examining how globalization is affecting moral values.
Narrative Identity and Moral Choices
Research how the stories we tell ourselves about who we are influence our moral decisions. This might involve analyzing autobiographies, conducting interviews, or creating narrative interventions to see how changing one's story can affect moral behavior.
The Psychology of Forgiveness
Investigate what factors lead to forgiveness after a moral transgression, including the roles of remorse, empathy, and the nature of the relationship between the transgressor and the victim. This could involve psychological studies, literary analysis, or philosophical arguments about the nature of forgiveness.
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