Our Righteous Minds Structure of Haidt’s Claims
PART 3: Morality Binds and Blinds
PART 2: There is more to morality than concern about harm and unfairness
PART 1: Moral Intuitions come first, justifying reasons follow How WEIRD are you??? Western Educated Industrialized Rich Democratic WEIRD culture Non-WEIRD cultures
• Individualistic • Sociocentric • Rights focused • Relationship focused • Self-expression • Self-control • ethic of autonomy • ethic of community • ethic of divinity
Haidt’s Metaphor: TASTE BUDS Bitter Sweet Salty Sour Savory Evolutionary Understanding Psychology Theory Personal Palate
• Common Evolutionary • Tongue (taste buds) Trait (physiology/behavior)
• Specific Cultural • Cuisine Expressions (influences)
• Individual Socialization • Personal tastes Evolutionary Psychology Theory Haidt’s Hypothesis
• Common Evolutionary • Neural Moral Modules Trait (physiology/behavior)
• Specific Cultural • Group Moral Code Expressions (influences)
• Individual Socialization • Personal Ethics Haidt’s Methodology
1. Compile list of virtues from cultures all over the world
2. Identify which virtues appear in virtually all of those cultures i.e. kindness, fairness, loyalty
3. Link VIRTUES with established evolutionary psychology theory Moral Foundations Theory 1. Care/Harm
Adaptive Challenge Protect and Care for Children Suffering, distress, or neediness Original Triggers expressed by one’s child
Current Triggers Baby seals, cute cartoon characters vulnerable people
Characteristic Emotions Compassion
Relevant Virtues Caring, Kindness Moral Foundations Theory 2. Fairness/Cheating
Adaptive Challenge Reap benefits of 2-way partnerships
Original Triggers Cheating, Cooperation, Deception
Current Triggers Marital Fidelity, broken vending machines
Characteristic Emotions Anger, Gratitude, Guilt
Relevant Fairness, Trustworthiness Virtues Justice Moral Foundations Theory 3. Loyalty/Betrayal
Adaptive Challenge Form cohesive coalitions
Original Triggers Threat or challenge to group
Current Triggers Nation-states, sports teams
Characteristic Emotions Group pride, rage at traitors
Relevant Virtues Loyalty, Patriotism, Self-sacrifice Moral Foundations Theory 4. Authority/Subversion
Adaptive Challenge Forge beneficial relationships within hierarchies
Original Triggers Signs of dominance and submission
Current Triggers Bosses, respected professionals
Characteristic Emotions Respect, Fear
Relevant Virtues Obedience, Deference Moral Foundations Theory 5. Sanctity/Degradation
Adaptive Challenge Avoid contaminants
Original Triggers Waste products, diseased people
Current Triggers Taboo ideas (e.g. communism, racism) Characteristic Emotions Disgust
Relevant Temperance, chastity, piety, Virtues cleanliness