Moral Boundaries

Ethics and Morality

Do Moral Gains Necessarily Entail Moral Losses?

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on May 31, 2024

In some moral situations, acts of generosity in one area entail deprivation in another. But people problematically overextend assumptions that morality is always zero-sum.

In some moral situations, acts of generosity in one area entail deprivation in another. But people problematically overextend assumptions that morality is always zero-sum.

Ethics and Morality

Moral Concerns Make People More Uncompromising

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on August 4, 2023

Does morality really make people more forgiving? New research shows the opposite is true.

Does morality really make people more forgiving? New research shows the opposite is true.

Environment

Recycling Isn’t Virtuous; It’s Making Things Worse

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on April 21, 2023

Amid immense amounts of human-generated waste, recycling appears to offer redemption. But by aiming to be diligent recyclers, we may be causing greater harm to the planet.

Amid immense amounts of human-generated waste, recycling appears to offer redemption. But by aiming to be diligent recyclers, we may be causing greater harm to the planet.

Ethics and Morality

Forming Beliefs That Suit Our Moral Inclinations

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on February 16, 2023

When the truth is dangerous, we think it's better to believe what's good, not what's correct.

When the truth is dangerous, we think it's better to believe what's good, not what's correct.

Ethics and Morality

The Nature and Nurture of Morality

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

By asking the right questions, we can meaningfully engage with the nature/nurture debate in the study of our moral dispositions.

By asking the right questions, we can meaningfully engage with the nature/nurture debate in the study of our moral dispositions.

Bias

It’s Good to Be Gorgeous: Beauty Confers Moral Worth

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on August 10, 2021

For people, animals, landscapes, and even buildings, being beautiful tends to increase moral standing.

For people, animals, landscapes, and even buildings, being beautiful tends to increase moral standing.

Environment

The Moral Compasses of Tree-Huggers and Human-Lovers

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on April 19, 2021

New research measures how people trade off moral value between nature and human outgroups.

New research measures how people trade off moral value between nature and human outgroups.

Empathy

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on February 2, 2021

Science indicates that we should be pessimistic about achieving unity.

Science indicates that we should be pessimistic about achieving unity.

Anthropomorphism

The Moral Worth of Dogs and Pigs

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on December 16, 2020

New research indicates that children’s moral concern for animals is not derived from their moral concern for humans.

New research indicates that children’s moral concern for animals is not derived from their moral concern for humans.

Cognition

Do Children Learn Moral Lessons from Storybooks?

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on October 10, 2020

New research finds that the moral of a story is as powerful as the story itself.

New research finds that the moral of a story is as powerful as the story itself.

Religion

Is Hugging Moral? It Depends on Your Religion

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on July 29, 2020

New research shows that the “moral domain” is far from universal.

New research shows that the “moral domain” is far from universal.

Bias

Is COVID-19 Inflaming Prejudice?

Joshua Rottman Ph.D. on June 11, 2020

Our "behavioral immune systems" seem designed to respond on a hair-trigger—and this creates mistakes that sometimes ignite stigma and racism.

Our "behavioral immune systems" seem designed to respond on a hair-trigger—and this creates mistakes that sometimes ignite stigma and racism.