Intuition Flashcards
(15 cards)
Intuition leads, reason follows
Haidt, 2001
Main argument towards the critique of the rationalist tradition which has previously dominated moral philosophy.
Rationalism
Plato & Kant
Believed that moral reasoning was the foundation of ethical behaviour.
Moral Intuitions
Automatic and unconscious processes, true drivers of moral judgements. Reasoning plays as a secondary role, providing justifications made from intuition.
The dog and its tail metaphor
Haidt, 2001
Dog = intuition, leading the way in moral decision making
Tail = reasoning, following and rationalising the dogs actions
Illustrates how reasoning is subservient to intuition, challenging the idea of humans being rational beings who use logic to arrive at moral truths.
Social intuitionist model (SIM)
Moral judgements primarily driven by intuitive processes shaped by social interactions, cultural norms and relational dynamics.
Split into 6 links which are embedded within a network of social and emotional interactions.
Intuitive judgement
moral intuitions generate judgements quickly and effortlessly
Post hoc reasoning
reasoning occurs after judgement to justify the intuition
Social Persuasion
reasoning influencing others moral intuitions
reasoned judgement
reasoning may override intuition to shape moral judgements
Private reflection
internal deliberation leading to changes in intuition
social influence
interpersonal and cultural contexts leading to the shaping or moral intuitions
Nickerson, 1998
Confirmation bias study
Confirmation bias
people tend to seek out evidence to support their pre-existing beliefs whilst dismissing contradictory information (Haidt, 2011)
Application of the SIM
political debates and moral disagreements - reasoning is often used to defend ones position and persuade others, rather than to evaluate evidence or reconsider their own views (Haidt, 2011)
