PSYC 382 - Morality: What is it?

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

This seminar explores the nature and acquisition of moral systems, moral thought, moral evaluation, and moral behavior and the very nature of morality itself. Thus, we will be asking: What are we referring to when we carve out a special domain identified as moral? Are moral judgments different from other judgments that human beings regularly make and if so, how and why? Where does the idea of morality come from? Are there analogues of morality in other animals? Can we interpret the moral sentiments as an evolved adaptation? Is there anything about moral impulses that exists even without moral teaching? What are the roles of cognition and of emotion in moral thought and behavior? Are there universals in human moral systems? What kinds of differences in moral systems might we find across cultures and people, and why might they exist? How do cultures try to instill morality in their young? Do different strategies for teaching morality work differently? What shall we make of the objective vs relative morality debate? The readings and frameworks for the course will be wide-ranging, and will include: evolutionary theory, ethnography/anthropology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, empirical psychological studies/psychological theory, moral philosophy, and others. Ms. Broude.

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 105 or PSYC 106; or COGS 100 and one 200-level Psychology or Cognitive Science Methods course.

One 2-hour period.

Open to seniors. For majors, satisfactory completion of a research methods course (PSYC 209, PSYC 219, PSYC 229, PSYC 239, PSYC 249, PSYC 259) is a prerequisite for these courses. Seminar seats are assigned according to a department lottery system. Please contact department office for lottery information. Non-majors and juniors should consult the instructor.