What is moral psychology?

Moral psychology is a field of study on the consequences of psychology and ethics. This field is studied in psychology and philosophy, although each is close to the subject by different methods and from different perspectives. Psychology focuses on the ways in which moral beliefs have evolved. In philosophy, moral psychology usually concerns opinions on moral thinking. Lawrence Kohlberg, an American psychologist, theorized that the moral reasoning of the person was developing in several stages. He was engaged in studies that tried to determine how different individuals would respond to moral dilemmas. During the 1970s, psychologists and philosophers criticized Kohlberg's theory. Others, however, attribute him to the introduction of a new psychological area. These decisions are based primarily on avoiding punishment and achieving pleasure. The elections made at this stage will be affected by physical events that cause pleasure or pain. The decisions at this age are aimed at approval of parents or authorities data.In adulthood, the third phase of moral reasoning is achieved, post-conventional moral reasoning. At this level, an individual may be able to decide on the basis of standards he evaluated regardless of social views.

In philosophy, moral psychology tends to refer to questions of morality. These can touch the nature of a "good" life or how one could achieve. Discussions on topics related to moral psychology have already appeared in the literature in Plato's Republic . The philosophy can Quzasass what inspires or motivates a person to negotiate, debating whether individuals can actually participate in selfless actions, or rather act only according to their own interest. Philosophers as Jeremy Bentham, J.S. Mill and Friedrich Nietzsche suggested that egoism dominated.

Classical philosophy that includes the works of Plato and Aristotle has been concentrated on the idea of ​​plagueThe Úal Psychology. He remained on Wednesday's philosophical activities until the Middle Ages. However, these theories have a minor role in the ideas of modern ethics. In the modern world, moral psychology could be used to evaluate a number of questions, including policies for educational institutions to promote good behavior or discourage poor behavior. In philosophy, moral psychology could be useful in exploring ethical theories.