Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Home › Morality, society, and the brain ›

Reply to comment

Paul Grobstein's picture

morality as a brain construction

Submitted by Paul Grobstein on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 10:52am.

Its an interesting thought indeed that morality isn't something "out there" but rather something that is constructed by and within brains. And an even more interesting thought that it is largely something we construct without "thinking about it" and then provide rationales for after the fact. The parallels to language are intriguing. Perhaps we're born not with a morality but rather with an inclination to build one reflecting our experiences with people around us?

From that follows several further interesting questions.

  • How much variation is there in our unconscious morality (follow Rebecca's suggestion and let her compile our responses)?
  • Can we build a more deliberate, ie conscious morality? (follow Ian's suggestion of reflecting on some earlier discussions about moral issues?)
  • What would such a morality look like, and why?

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
2 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities

Scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2

Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.

Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)

What's New? Subscribe to Serendip Studio