24.220 | Spring 2024 | Undergraduate

Moral Psychology

Course Description

This course is an examination of philosophical theories of action and motivation in the light of empirical findings from social psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. Topics include belief, desire, and moral motivation; sympathy and empathy; intentions and other committing states; strength of will and weakness of …
This course is an examination of philosophical theories of action and motivation in the light of empirical findings from social psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. Topics include belief, desire, and moral motivation; sympathy and empathy; intentions and other committing states; strength of will and weakness of will; free will; addiction and compulsion; guilt, shame, and regret; evil; self-knowledge and self-deception; and virtues and character traits.
Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments
Readings
A statue of a man, with wavy hair and beard, and a serious expression.
Many philosophers, including Plato (pictured above), have discussed free will, one of the main concepts explored in this course. (Image courtesy of lentina_x on Flickr. License CC BY-NC-SA.)