Here is another audio of a Radio Lab episode dealing with the nature of morality. This is based on literally the latest, state-of-the-art work being done in philosophy and neuro-science. The interesting thing about it is that it seems to provide empirical confirmation that Hume was right: our moral
feelings are based on the kind of biological creatures we are.
The more radical claim this scientific evidence confirms is that we don't get our sense of morality from up high (from God or reason), but from down below: from "the chimp within" (as a result of evolution).
1 comment:
I listened to the piece and found it quite interesting. The test of watching which part of the brain responds is pretty neat. The train track experiment is quite interesting. I think I would push the big guy off the tracks to save the 5 other people. But that wasn't my first reaction. My first reaction was, "well that would be murder." But so is pulling the switch to make the train change course to kill 1 instead of 5. I think that people think that if they actually place their hands on the guy to kill him its more personable and therefore, they are direct contact murderers. But both are murder, either way you look at it.
If morality is biological that could explain a lot to me. That is how we just know what is wrong and right. We are born that way, this makes sense. I am sure I am wrong and I am also sure Berto will tell me why. Does anyone else think we are born with our morality?
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