PSYC 384b - Naturalizing Moral Systems

Institution:

Vassar College

Subject:

Description:

An abiding question among academics and laypersons has to do with the origins of ideas about morality. This course explores the hypothesis that human moral systems have a biological/evolutionary grounding and can, therefore, be naturalized. In an effort to examine this thesis, the course surveys arguments and evidence from a variety of frameworks, among them philosophical, evolutionary, primatological, neuroeconomic, developmental, and crosscultural theory and data. We examine classic works as represented by Larry Arnhart, Richard Dawkins, Robert Trivers, R. D. Alexander, Matt Ridley, Frans deWaal as well as new models of morality, for instance, from Paul Churchland's connectionist model of mind and Chris Boehm's theory of motives behind the egalitarian ethic based in the hunter-gatherer way of life. Ms. Broude.Prerequisites: Psych 105 or 106 or Cognitive Science 100 and a Research Methods course.

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.vassar.edu

Phone Number:

(845) 437-7000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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