Scientists no longer accept the existence of a distinct moral organ as phrenologists once did. A generation of young neurologists is using advanced technological medical equipment to unravel specific brain processes enabling moral cognition. In addition, evolutionary psychologists have formulated hypotheses about the origins and nature of our moral architecture. Little by little, the concept of a ‘moral brain’ is reinstated.
As the crossover between disciplines focusing on moral cognition was rather limited up to now, this book aims at filling the gap. Which evolutionary biological hypotheses provide a useful framework for starting new neurological research? How can brain imaging be used to corroborate hypotheses concerning the evolutionary background of our species?
In this reader, a broad range of prominent scientists and philosophers shed their expert view on the current accomplishments and future challenges in the field of moral cognition and assess how cooperation between neurology and evolutionary psychology can boost research into the field of the moral brain.
Author(s): Jan Verplaetse, Johan Braeckman, Jelle De Schrijver (auth.), Jan Verplaetse, Jelle Schrijver, Sven Vanneste, Johan Braeckman (eds.)
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 275
Tags: Neurosciences; Evolutionary Biology; Philosophy; Ethics; Philosophy of Medicine; Philosophy of Mind
Front Matter....Pages i-viii
Introduction....Pages 1-43
The Immoral Brain....Pages 45-67
“Extended Attachment” and the Human Brain: Internalized Cultural Values and Evolutionary Implications....Pages 69-85
Neuro-Cognitive Systems Involved in Moral Reasoning....Pages 87-107
Empathy and Morality: Integrating Social and Neuroscience Approaches....Pages 109-127
Moral Judgment and the Brain: A Functional Approach to the Question of Emotion and Cognition in Moral Judgment Integrating Psychology, Neuroscience and Evolutionary Biology....Pages 129-154
Moral Dysfunction: Theoretical Model and Potential Neurosurgical Treatments....Pages 155-183
Does It Pay to be Good? Competing Evolutionary Explanations of Pro-Social Behaviour....Pages 185-200
How Can Evolution and Neuroscience Help Us Understand Moral Capacities?....Pages 201-209
Runaway Social Selection for Displays of Partner Value and Altruism....Pages 211-231
The Evolved Brain: Understanding Religious Ethics and Religious Violence....Pages 233-254
An Evolutionary and Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective on Moral Modularity....Pages 255-270
Back Matter....Pages 271-275
