Moral Psychology

Catalog description

267 This course introduces students to recent debates surrounding the nature of psychological investigation in relation to morality. Some of the questions the course will address are as follows: What is distinctive about moral motivation Is morality an instinct How does a psychological understanding of moral behavior differ from a philosophical one Can morality be adequately explained as an evolutionary adaptation What is the nature of moral emotions, such as shame and guilt The final third of the course explores some of the moral debates that arise from the psychological explanation of, and therapeutic approach to, morality. Students may not earn credit for more than one VUSM course at the 400 level. Prerequisite: any LDW and SJE course or transfer student placement, WCII course. TEL