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Can Neuroscience Change the Way We View Morality?
Clare Kelly1, Redmond O'Connell2
1Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience & School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Neuron
|November 26, 2020
Summary
Neuroscience studies simplified moral scenarios. For real-world understanding, researchers should integrate naturalistic approaches, stories, and narratives into their studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Neuroscience has advanced the study of human morality through simplified experimental models.
- These simplified paradigms offer insights but may not fully capture the complexity of real-world moral decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for the integration of naturalistic approaches in neuroscience research on morality.
- To highlight the importance of narratives and stories in understanding everyday moral judgments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current neuroscience methodologies in moral decision-making research.
- Conceptual analysis of the limitations of simplified experimental paradigms.
Main Results:
- Simplified paradigms in neuroscience provide a foundational understanding of moral cognition.
- A gap exists between controlled experimental findings and the nuances of naturalistic moral behavior.
Conclusions:
- Neuroscience research on morality should incorporate naturalistic paradigms to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- The inclusion of narratives and stories is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of human moral decision-making.
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