The Biology and Psychology of Moral Agency [Hardcover]

Brings findings and theories in biology and psychology to bear on ethics.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 swathe of philosophers, as well as psychologists and biologists.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 swathe of philosophers, as well as psychologists and biologists.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.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 l�