How morality guides politics
Morality may not be the first word that comes to mind in association with politics. An EU-funded project, MORALCOMPASS (The moral compass: How moral judgment guides political attitudes) sought to delve into the relationship between the two. Using a multidisciplinary approach and integrating philosophy, psychology, behavioural economics and neuroscience, the emphasis was on the role of moral conviction in political attitude formation. Several studies were conducted. One study found a link between moral conviction on political issues and the moral emotion of disgust and what’s associated with it. It showed that moral judgment has two dimensions; one relates to harm and the other to moral emotions. Another study used data to suggest that moral judgment directs political behaviour. The role of disgust was also studied and revealed it boosts dehumanization for participants of political conflict without discriminating according to political sides of the spectrum. Progress was made for additional grant applications which will be devoted to innovative experimental research in political science. A laboratory will provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning to real-life political situations. A panel of international scholars presented research on the political psychology of values. The moral emotion of empathy and moral actions of decision-makers were topics included. The results were then presented in academic conferences and articles have appeared in prominent newspapers. The information will be useful for the areas of political and social sciences as well as to help promote and advance research and improve the ties in this area of study across the EU.
Keywords
Morality, politics, moral conviction, political issues, psychology, empathy
