Moral Pluralism Flashcards
What is the main idea of moral pluralism?
Morality is more than just harm and fairness - different cultures emphasise different morals.
How do WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies see morality?
They focus on individual rights, harm and fairness.
How do Non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) cultures see morality?
They emphasise group loyalty, respect for authority and sacredness alongside harm and fairness.
Why is WEIRD morality not universal?
Most psychological studies are based on Western people, but other cultures prioritise community and tradition over individual rights.
What key study showed that WEIRD morality is unique?
Henrich et al (2010) found that WEIRD societies are the most individualistic in the world.
What is the WEIRD Problem in cultural differences in morality? (Henrichet al., 2010)
Compared morality across WESTERN VS NON-WESTERN societies. Found that WEIRD people emphasise individualism (Care, Fairness). NON-WEIRD societies focus on group-based morality (loyalty, authority, sanctity).
What are the three broad moral themes across cultures? (Shweder, 1997)
- Autonomy
- Community
- Divinity
What are the key findings of the WEIRD Problem study? (Henrich et al., 2010)
Western moral psychology is not universal - it’s based on individualistic cultures. Different cultures prioritise different moral foundations. Challenges Kohlberg’s moral development theory, which was based mostly on WEIRD societies. Supports Moral Pluralism (morality depends on cultural context).
What does the moral theme AUTONOMY focus on?
Individual rights, fairness. Example: human rights, personal freedom
What does the moral theme COMMUNITY focus on?
Duty, loyalty to group. Example: respecting elders, patriotism.
What does the moral theme DIVINITY focus on?
Sacredness, purity. Example: religious purity laws, avoiding disgust.
How do moral themes explain cultural differences?
Some cultures prioritise autonomy, while others focus on duty to the group or religious values. WEIRD prioritise autonomy, non-WEIRD prioritise community and divinity.
What is Moral Foundations Theory (MFT)? (Haidt, 2012)
A theory that explains six universal moral foundations:
1. Care/Harm
2. Fairness/Cheating
3. Loyalty/Betrayal
4. Authority/Subversion
5. Sanctity/Degradation
6. Liberty/Oppression
What does the Care/Harm foundation value?
Protecting the vulnerable. Example: Helping the poor; Emphasised by: Liberals
What does the Fairness/Cheating foundation value?
Justice, equality. Example: Fighting corruption; Emphasised by: Liberals and Libertarians
What does the Liberty/Oppression foundation value?
Individual freedom. Example: Resisting tyranny; Emphasised by: Libertarians
What does the Loyalty/Betrayal foundation value?
Group loyalty. Example: Patriotism; Emphasised by: Conservatives
What does the Authority/Subversion foundation value?
Respect for hierarchy. Example: Obeying leaders; Emphasised by: Conservatives
What does the Sanctity/Degradation foundation value?
Purity, sacredness. Example: Religious devotion; Emphasised by: Conservatives.
How do liberals and conservatives differ in moral values?
Liberals emphasise Care, Liberty, and Fairness, while conservatives value all 6 foundations.
How do researchers measure moral values?
Using the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ).
What did Graham, Haidt, & Nosek (2009) find in their study? (First evidence for the MFT)
Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity.
Conservatives → High on all five foundations. 1600 participants, USA.
Self-reported political identity, MFT (Haidt, 2007)
Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity.
Conservatives → High on all five foundations. 2811 participants, USA.
Graham, Nosek, Haidt et al., (2011)
Patterns of MFT robust across national and cultural contexts.
Further MFT evidence: YourMorals.org (2011)
Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity.
Conservatives → High on all six foundations. 132k participants.
Analysis of religious texts (Graham, Haidt, Nosek, 2009)
Liberal preachers used Harm and Fairness words more frequently. Conservative preachers used Authority and Purity words more frequently.
Brain activity of liberals and conservatives (Graham, 2010)
Liberals had more shock for statements that rejected Care and Fairness, and endorsed Loyalty, Authority, and Sanctity.
Addition of Liberty/Opression
Hierarchy and Domination. Iyer, Koleva, Graham, Haidt (2012). Liberals and libertarians score high. Libertarians were not represented in the original 5.
What are the challenges to Moral Foundations Theory?
- Suhler & Churchland (2011) - Morality is not purely innate; it is shaped by learning.
- Smith et al, 2016 - Moral values change over time; they’re not fixed. measured twins, and scores did not remain stable, no support in genetics on moral foundations. Changes in morals lead to political attitude change.
- Jost, 2012 - Politics shape morality, not the other way around.
- Curry, 2019 - The 6 moral foundations are not universal.
How does moral pluralism help us understand political and cultural conflicts?
Different groups prioritise different moral values, so they often misunderstand each other.
What are the key takeaways of Moral Pluralism?
- Morality is more than just harm and fairness; it includes loyalty, authority, and sanctity.
- WEIRD cultures focus on individualism, while others focus on group values.
- Political and religious beliefs are shaped by moral foundations.
- Understanding moral pluralism helps reduce conflict and increase empathy.
What is a notable quote by Haidt regarding moral psychology?
“We wanted to use moral psychology to help political partisans understand and respect each other.”
What are the essay theories related to moral pluralism?
Cultural differences in morality = Henrich et al. (2010), Shweder et al. (1997).
Moral Foundations Theory = Graham, Haidt & Nosek (2009).
Moral pluralism vs. Western morality - Henrich et al. (2010), Shweder et al. (1997).
Political differences in morality = Graham, Haidt & Nosek (2009).
Religion and morality = Putnam & Campbell (2010).
Emotion in morality = Wheatley & Haidt (2005).
