Amoral Thoughts About Morality: The Intersection Of Science, Psychology, And Ethics

Amoral Thoughts About Morality: The Intersection of Science, Psychology, and Ethics

In recent years, the social responsibilities of psychology and psychologists have become a source of considerable controversy. Amoral Thoughts About Morality seeks to clarify the issues in dispute by analyzing the relationships between scientific facts and moral principles and the implications of these interactions for psychologists in a democratic society. The analysis brings to the surface underlying ethical, legal, and scientific problems that are too easily ignored. While the purpose of this book has not changed with this second edition, there are two important additions. One is the updating of empirical evidence and theoretical development occurring during the recent past. The second is the endeavor to extend the analysis of the relationship between scientific facts and moral principles beyond the boundaries of a democratic society for which it was originally designed. By examining the differences between experimental and historical analyses, the author clarifies the nature of the conflict between political democracies and Islamic societies, and identifies potential sources of reconciliation and persistent conflict. Emotion-laden controversies such as intelligence testing, racial differences, affirmative action, multiculturalism, and moral pluralism is discussed in great detail. This book will serve as a stimulating text for undergraduate and graduate seminars and is an excellent resource for psychologists, sociologists, political scientists, psychiatrists, and philosophers.