Moral Pluralism

Question 1

What is the main idea of moral pluralism?

Answer 1

Morality is more than just harm and fairness - different cultures emphasise different morals.

Question 2

How do WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies see morality?

Answer 2

They focus on individual rights, harm and fairness.

Question 3

How do Non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) cultures see morality?

Answer 3

They emphasise group loyalty, respect for authority and sacredness alongside harm and fairness.

Question 4

Why is WEIRD morality not universal?

Answer 4

Most psychological studies are based on Western people, but other cultures prioritise community and tradition over individual rights.

Question 5

What key study showed that WEIRD morality is unique?

Answer 5

Henrich et al (2010) found that WEIRD societies are the most individualistic in the world.

Question 6

What is the WEIRD Problem in cultural differences in morality? (Henrichet al., 2010)

Answer 6

Compared morality across WESTERN VS NON-WESTERN societies. Found that WEIRD people emphasise individualism (Care, Fairness). NON-WEIRD societies focus on group-based morality (loyalty, authority, sanctity).

Question 7

What are the three broad moral themes across cultures? (Shweder, 1997)

Answer 7

1. Autonomy
2. Community
3. Divinity

Question 8

What are the key findings of the WEIRD Problem study? (Henrich et al., 2010)

Answer 8

Western moral psychology is not universal - it’s based on individualistic cultures. Different cultures prioritise different moral foundations. Challenges Kohlberg’s moral development theory, which was based mostly on WEIRD societies. Supports Moral Pluralism (morality depends on cultural context).

Question 9

What does the moral theme AUTONOMY focus on?

Answer 9

Individual rights, fairness. Example: human rights, personal freedom

Question 10

What does the moral theme COMMUNITY focus on?

Answer 10

Duty, loyalty to group. Example: respecting elders, patriotism.

Question 11

What does the moral theme DIVINITY focus on?

Answer 11

Sacredness, purity. Example: religious purity laws, avoiding disgust.

Question 12

How do moral themes explain cultural differences?

Answer 12

Some cultures prioritise autonomy, while others focus on duty to the group or religious values. WEIRD prioritise autonomy, non-WEIRD prioritise community and divinity.

Question 13

What is Moral Foundations Theory (MFT)? (Haidt, 2012)

Answer 13

A theory that explains six universal moral foundations:
1. Care/Harm
2. Fairness/Cheating
3. Loyalty/Betrayal
4. Authority/Subversion
5. Sanctity/Degradation
6. Liberty/Oppression

Question 14

What does the Care/Harm foundation value?

Answer 14

Protecting the vulnerable. Example: Helping the poor; Emphasised by: Liberals

Question 15

What does the Fairness/Cheating foundation value?

Answer 15

Justice, equality. Example: Fighting corruption; Emphasised by: Liberals and Libertarians

Question 16

What does the Liberty/Oppression foundation value?

Answer 16

Individual freedom. Example: Resisting tyranny; Emphasised by: Libertarians

Question 17

What does the Loyalty/Betrayal foundation value?

Answer 17

Group loyalty. Example: Patriotism; Emphasised by: Conservatives

Question 18

What does the Authority/Subversion foundation value?

Answer 18

Respect for hierarchy. Example: Obeying leaders; Emphasised by: Conservatives

Question 19

What does the Sanctity/Degradation foundation value?

Answer 19

Purity, sacredness. Example: Religious devotion; Emphasised by: Conservatives.

Question 20

How do liberals and conservatives differ in moral values?

Answer 20

Liberals emphasise Care, Liberty, and Fairness, while conservatives value all 6 foundations.

Question 21

How do researchers measure moral values?

Answer 21

Using the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ).

Question 22

What did Graham, Haidt, & Nosek (2009) find in their study? (First evidence for the MFT)

Answer 22

Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity.
Conservatives → High on all five foundations. 1600 participants, USA.

Question 23

Self-reported political identity, MFT (Haidt, 2007)

Answer 23

Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity.
Conservatives → High on all five foundations. 2811 participants, USA.

Question 24

Graham, Nosek, Haidt et al., (2011)

Answer 24

Patterns of MFT robust across national and cultural contexts.

Question 25

Further MFT evidence: YourMorals.org (2011)

Answer 25

Liberals → High on Care/Fairness, low on Loyalty/Authority/Sanctity. Conservatives → High on all six foundations. 132k participants.

Question 26

Analysis of religious texts (Graham, Haidt, Nosek, 2009)

Answer 26

Liberal preachers used Harm and Fairness words more frequently. Conservative preachers used Authority and Purity words more frequently.

Question 27

Brain activity of liberals and conservatives (Graham, 2010)

Answer 27

Liberals had more shock for statements that rejected Care and Fairness, and endorsed Loyalty, Authority, and Sanctity.

Question 28

Addition of Liberty/Opression

Answer 28

Hierarchy and Domination. Iyer, Koleva, Graham, Haidt (2012). Liberals and libertarians score high. Libertarians were not represented in the original 5.

Question 29

What are the challenges to Moral Foundations Theory?

Answer 29

1. Suhler & Churchland (2011) - Morality is not purely innate; it is shaped by learning. 2. Smith et al, 2016 - Moral values change over time; they're not fixed. measured twins, and scores did not remain stable, no support in genetics on moral foundations. Changes in morals lead to political attitude change. 3. Jost, 2012 - Politics shape morality, not the other way around. 4. Curry, 2019 - The 6 moral foundations are not universal.

Question 30

How does moral pluralism help us understand political and cultural conflicts?

Answer 30

Different groups prioritise different moral values, so they often misunderstand each other.

Question 31

What are the key takeaways of Moral Pluralism?

Answer 31

1. Morality is more than just harm and fairness; it includes loyalty, authority, and sanctity. 2. WEIRD cultures focus on individualism, while others focus on group values. 3. Political and religious beliefs are shaped by moral foundations. 4. Understanding moral pluralism helps reduce conflict and increase empathy.

Question 32

What is a notable quote by Haidt regarding moral psychology?

Answer 32

"We wanted to use moral psychology to help political partisans understand and respect each other."

Question 33

What are the essay theories related to moral pluralism?

Answer 33

Cultural differences in morality = Henrich et al. (2010), Shweder et al. (1997). Moral Foundations Theory = Graham, Haidt & Nosek (2009). Moral pluralism vs. Western morality - Henrich et al. (2010), Shweder et al. (1997). Political differences in morality = Graham, Haidt & Nosek (2009). Religion and morality = Putnam & Campbell (2010). Emotion in morality = Wheatley & Haidt (2005).