The Biology and Psychology of Moral Agency

by William Andrew Rottschaefer

Overview

This important book brings recent findings and theories in biology and psychology to bear on the fundamental question in ethics of what it means to behave morally. By presenting a complete model of moral agency based on contemporary evolutionary theory, developmental biology and psychology, and social cognitive theory, the book offers a unique perspective. It will be read with profit by a broad range of philosophers, as well as psychologists and biologists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521064507
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/05/2008
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Biology
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. Moral Agency and Scientific Naturalism: 1. Understanding moral agency: what is a scientific naturalist view of moral agency?; Part II. The Biological Bases of Moral Agency: 2. Evolution and moral agency: can evolution endow us with moral capacities?; 3. Evolution and moral agency: Does Evolution endow us with moral capacities?; 4. Developmental biology and psychology and moral agency: how do our biologically-based moral capacities develop?; Part III. The Psychological Bases of moral Agency: 5. Behavioral psychology and moral agency: how do we learn to behave morally?; 6. Social cognitive psychology and moral agency: how do we learn to act morally?; 7. The neurophysiological bases of moral capacities: do the neurosciences have room for moral agents?; Part IV. A Scientific Naturalist Account of Moral Agency: 8. The adequacy of moral beliefs, motivations and actions: how can biological and psychological explanations serve as justifications?; 9. Moral ontology: what is the ontological status of moral values?; Part V. Integrating a Personalistic and Naturalistic View of Agency: 10. The manifest and scientific images of morality: how can we integrate our ordinary and scientifically based views of moral agency?

Editorial Reviews

"This unique integrationist approach will be profitable reading for philosophers and scientists and represents an important first step toward a more comprehensive view of the moral realm. Graduate students; faculty; researchers." Choice

"This text has value in the thought-provoking journey it offers through modern developments in sociobiology and psychology." Bridges Fall/ Winter 2001

From the Publisher