Jonathan Glover: the moral resourcespsychological “backdrop” for moral behavior

sympathyrespect

moral identity(self interest)

Jonathan Glover: the moral resourcespsychological “backdrop” for moral behavior

Self interest is not the “enemy” of moral behavior

It can reinforce cooperation with others

Police interrogating “partners” separatelyStrategy: get them to “flip” on their partnerAssumption: self interest = disloyalty to partner

Self interest reinforces cooperationThe Prisoners’ Dilemma

Consideration for the interests of others will also

benefit self interest

Social pressure and individual conformity

Plato’s “Ring of Gyges” myth: the cloak of invisibility

If guaranteed anonymity, most people would violate morality with impunity

Social pressure and individual conformity

In social reality: no one is anonymous reputation and self-image are motivators for moral behavior

Jonathan Glover: the moral resourcespsychological “backdrop” for moral behavior

sympathyrespect

moral identity

Psychological resource of sympathy

Capacity to be affected by others and to care for

their interests Built from our bonds with family, friends, etc.

Psychological resource of respect

Capacity to discern and acknowledge the dignity of others

Recognition of their status as members of the moral community

Instinctive response to fellow human beingsSocially “ritualized”

Psychological resource of respect

natural response of respect – susceptible to gradual

erosion and suppression barriers against moral wrongdoing disappear

British massacre atArmritsar, India (1919)

Psychological resource of moral identity

Desire to create and maintain a positive image of one’s roles and activities

A source of courage and strength and even conscience

Psychological resource of moral identity

Critical moral resource: enables integration of one’s various roles vulnerable: self-justification self-deception and rationalization

influence of group loyalty and peer pressure

organizations: direct “target” for socialization

Moral identity as a limit on action

• Military honor: soldier’s code

• sense of personal identity blocks departures from code

• Certain actions would offend one’s identity as a soldier

Dishonor: torturing prisoners

Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq (2005)

Moral identity

Integrative function:

Encourages us toharmonize disparate and even conflicting roles …..

A Unified Self

Moral identity

Consistent internal moral standpoint:

Psychological unityBalancing of variable roles

Resistance to “questionable” expectations of some roles

Eroded moral identityFragmented and conflicted selfRoles and commitments in conflict with each other

To Live at Peace with OneselfA self that balances and integrates its various elements(attributed to Socrates, 4th century BCE)