Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Item

The Dual-Process Model and Moral Dilemmas: Reflection Does Not Drive Self-Sacrifice

Simpson, David
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract

Greene uses evidence from psychology and neuroscience to argue that manual mode (slow, deliberative thinking) is conducive to utilitarian judgments. He further argues that these data, in conjunction with philosophical premises, lend normative support to utilitarianism. After defending Greene’s philosophical premises against critics, I contend that the current state of the evidence suggests that manual mode does not drive utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas involving self-sacrifice. I performed an experiment which replicated the positive association between cognitive reflection test (CRT) scores (which measure reliance on manual mode) and utilitarian responses to dilemmas that involved sacrificing the interests of others. However, I did not find a positive association between CRT scores and self-sacrificial utilitarian responses. The lack of a connection between manual mode and self-sacrifice presents a problem for Greene’s argument that manual mode drives utilitarianism in general. Prima facie, my results indicate that reflection only drives other-sacrificial utilitarian judgments, not self-sacrificial ones. Greene is left without a basis to say (as he does) that cognitive science lends support to the normative conclusion that we ought to engage in utilitarian self-sacrifice by, for example, giving more to charity. I conclude by discussing other implications of my data for Greene’s argument, and outlining directions for future research.

Comments
Description
Date
2021-08-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Dual-process model, Moral psychology, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Reason, Emotion
Citation
Simpson, David. "The Dual-Process Model and Moral Dilemmas: Reflection Does Not Drive Self-Sacrifice." 2021. Thesis, Georgia State University. https://doi.org/10.57709/22738034
Embargo Lift Date
2021-05-01
Embedded videos