0 or 3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Recitation Lower DivisionDepartmental Credit
This course will explore questions about the nature of morality that lie at the intersection of philosophy and psychology. Is genuine altruism possible, or is everybody selfish deep down? Is moral thinking driven by reason or emotion? Is there such a thing as moral character? Is anyone ever truly responsible for their actions? Do facts about our evolutionary history undermine objective morality? Is empathy...bad? What makes someone a jerk? We'll also think about what happens to moral psychology when it gets plugged into social media algorithms and polarized political environments.
Learning Outcomes1Identify and analyze major debates in moral psychology.
2Explain the major theories in the history of moral psychology.
3Apply lessons from moral psychology to contemporary moral problems, such as climate change or the spread of misinformation.
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