Altruism & Moral Psychology Conference
Analysis
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About the Conference
This interdisciplinary conference will explore the psychological underpinnings of altruism and moral norms, and the implications of these psychological systems for ethical theory. The conference will address such questions as:
- What is altruism? What is the psychological basis for altruistic behavior?
- How do we represent moral norms? What is the structure of the psychological systems involved in the acquisition, processing, complying with, and enforcing moral norms?
- To what extent is moral psychology culturally universal? To what extent is it culturally variable?
- How are moral norms culturally transmitted? What can we learn about moral norms from the nature of the cutlural transmission?
- How does empirical work on moral psychology interact with normative theories in ethics and meta-ethical theory?
Speakers
John Doris (Philosophy, Washington University, St. Louis)
How (Not) to Build a Person Abstract
Simon Gächter (Economics, University of Nottingham)
Measuring Norms of Cooperation in Different SocietiesAbstract
Nicola Knight (Culture & Cognition, University of Michigan / CPNSS, LSE)
The Psychology of Normative Judgement and Explanation Abstract
Aimee Plourde (Archaeology, University Collee London)
The Role of Prestige and Prestige Goods in the Emergence of Agrandizing Behavior: Some Insight into How Moral Norms Change over Time Abstract
Peter Richerson (Environmental Science & Policy, UC Davis)
Darwin's Theory of Moral Evolution in Modern Garb Abstract
Stephen Stich (Philosophy, Rutgers University)
Is the Moral / Conventional Distinction a Myth? Abstract
David Sloan Wilson (Biology, SUNY Binghamton)
The Ecology of Altruism in Everyday Life Abstract
Tom Walker (Centre for Professional Ethics,Keele)
Two Ways to Build an Altruist Abstract
The conference will take place at the Humanities Research Institute (34 Gell Street, Sheffield S3 7QW) at the University of Sheffield (see map — opens in a new window).
This conference is jointly sponsored by the Hang Seng Centre for Cognitive Studies, directed by Stephen Laurence, and the Rutgers University Research Group on Evolution and Higher Cognition, directed by Prof. Stephen Stich.
