A Solution to the Mysteries of Morality

139 Psychological Bulletin 477 (2013)

USC CLASS Research Paper No. 16-3

21 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2016

See all articles by Peter DeScioli

Peter DeScioli

Chapman University Economic Science Institute

Robert Kurzban

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Psychology

Date Written: January 11, 2016

Abstract

We propose that moral condemnation functions to guide bystanders to choose the same side as other bystanders in disputes. Humans interact in dense social networks, and this poses a problem for bystanders when conflicts arise: which side, if any, to support. Choosing sides is a difficult strategic problem because the outcome of a conflict critically depends on which side other bystanders support. One strategy is siding with the higher status disputant, which can allow bystanders to coordinate with one another to take the same side, reducing fighting costs. However, this strategy carries the cost of empowering high-status individuals to exploit others. A second possible strategy is choosing sides based on preexisting relationships. This strategy balances power but carries another cost: Bystanders choose different sides, and this discoordination causes escalated conflicts and high fighting costs. We propose that moral cognition is designed to manage both of these problems by implementing a dynamic coordination strategy in which bystanders coordinate side-taking based on a public signal derived from disputants’ actions rather than their identities. By focusing on disputants’ actions, bystanders can dynamically change which individuals they support across different disputes, simultaneously solving the problems of coordination and exploitation. We apply these ideas to explain a variety of otherwise mysterious moral phenomena.

Keywords: moral psychology, evolution of morality, condemnation, choosing sides, side-taking

Suggested Citation

DeScioli, Peter and Kurzban, Robert, A Solution to the Mysteries of Morality (January 11, 2016). 139 Psychological Bulletin 477 (2013), USC CLASS Research Paper No. 16-3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2714109

Peter DeScioli (Contact Author)

Chapman University Economic Science Institute ( email )

1 University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
United States

Robert Kurzban

University of Pennsylvania - Department of Psychology ( email )

3720 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6196
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
143
Abstract Views
1,335
Rank
366,852
PlumX Metrics