Morality

For a topic as subjective a morality, people sure have strong beliefs about what's right and wrong. Yet even though they can vary from person to person and culture to culture, many are practically universal, as they result from basic human emotions. We may think of moralizing as an intellectual exercise, but more frequently it's an attempt to make sense of our gut instincts.

Vice and Virtue

Morality: From Sucker to Saint

Why you see your dunce cap as a halo.

by Matthew Hutson

Do Atheists Pose a Threat to Morality?

The Psychology of Unbelief: Does atheism threaten morality?

by Jesse Prinz, Ph.D. in Experiments in Philosophy

How Ideology Colors Morality

Conservatives and liberals reside in different moral worlds.

by Jesse Prinz, Ph.D. in Experiments in Philosophy

The Blame Game: Free Will and Responsibility

The burdens and blessings of belief in free will.

by Matthew Hutson

After an especially good deed, are you destined to sin?

Being good can feel bad—but being bad can make you feel better.

by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. in The Science of Willpower

Wholesome Guide to Misbehaving

Being bad and venturing out-of-bounds can reap surprising benefits.

by Rebecca Webber

See Also

The Neuroscience of Morality

Mystery of Disgust

How much can you stomach?

by Erik D'Amato

Moral Sentiments in the Brain

Empathy as the basis for morality

by Paul J. Zak in The Moral Molecule

Moral Combat: Emotion and Reason

How does your brain deal with a moral dilemma?

by Lauren Aaronson

See Also

Teaching and Enforcing Morality

Why Teaching Values Isn't Enough

Helping children develop a moral identity

by Richard Weissbourd in The Parents We Mean to Be

Name and Shame

What are you ashamed of?

by Jesse Bering, Ph.D. in Quirky Little Things

Moral righteousness in trying times

Difficult times make you cling to moral norms.

by Art Markman, Ph.D. in Ulterior Motives

When God Is Watching, People Are More Generous.

God and Prosocial Behavior.

by Gad Saad, Ph.D. in Homo Consumericus

See Also

Evil

Messiahs of Evil (Part One)

Osama bin Laden: Religious cult leader with a major messiah complex?

by Dr. Stephen A. Diamond, Ph.D. in Evil Deeds

Dancing With Devils

A renowned forensic psychiatrist on spotting psychopaths.

by Anastasia Toufexis

This Charming Psychopath

Are you dating a psychopath?

by Robert Hare

See Also

Morality Tests

Egoism Vs. Altruism

Do you tend to be self-centered or are you compassionate?
More Tests

The Latest on Morality

Morality? or Truthiness—"knowing"something regardless of facts? by Darcia Narvaez, Ph.D.
what do corporate values really mean? by Ray B. Williams
The lives of factory farmed animals cannot be made humane by Marc Bekoff
How should university students be taught? by Paul Thagard
If we see the divine within everyone, you treat people differently by Thomas Plante, PhD
Don't be a fool, wrap your tool by Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.
Revisiting the "macaca" controversy by Shankar Vedantam
What can possibly be wrong with holding bullies accountable? by Izzy Kalman
Where do we get our morals from? by Massimo Pigliucci
Even small ethical decisions require balancing multiple values by Nancy Darling

Morality Blogs

  • Experiments in Philosophy

    The impact of psychological research on life's big questions.
    By a Band of Philosophers
  • John Portmann

    Saints and Scoundrels

    A moral romp through the triumphs and travails of prominent Westerners.
    By John Portmann

  • Do the Right Thing

    Spirit, science, and health.
    By Thomas Plante, PhD

  • Hero

    The best in human nature
    By Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D.
  • Dacher Keltner

    Born To Be Good

    The new science of emotions--and how compassion, mirth, embarrassment and awe bring out the good in others and in ourselves.
    By Dacher Keltner

  • Minding Morality

     Exploring the Causes and Consequences of our (Im)Moral Decisions
    By Kurt Gray
  • Darcia Narvaez

    Moral Landscapes

    Living the life that is good for one to live
    By Darcia Narvaez, Ph.D.
  • Peter Singer

    The Life You Can Save

    How to end world poverty.
    By Peter Singer

Current Issue

Heartbreak and Home Runs: The Power of First Experiences

How early life experiences shape our character.