Our Righteous Minds Structure of Haidt’s Claims

PART 3: 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 Theory Personal Palate

• Common Evolutionary • Tongue (taste buds) Trait (physiology/behavior)

• Specific Cultural • Cuisine Expressions (influences)

• Individual Socialization • Personal tastes 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 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