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The Future of Morality Theory and Research

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Embodied Morality

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Abstract

Triune ethics meta-theory (TEM) identifies ethical orientations that emerge from global brain states rooted in human brain evolution: self-protectionism, engagement, and imagination, respectively. TEM contributes to the movement to focus on human potential and well-being in the moral realm. A broad view of human genus history indicates that the undermining of human development has only occurred in recent millennia, intensifying with industrialization, which decimated social support for children and families. Developmental optimization has not long been a focus of research or advocacy. Western medicine too has focused on malady instead of health promotion, although patterns are changing. Although positive psychology has shifted psychology’s attention away from maladaptation toward flourishing, it has mostly focused on adults, though again a shift is under way.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For example, Eisler and Levine (2002) and Hart, Shaver, and Goldenberg (2005).

  2. 2.

    Alderfer (1972).

  3. 3.

    Mathes (1981).

  4. 4.

    Maslow (1943).

  5. 5.

    McClelland (1985).

  6. 6.

    Higgins (2011).

  7. 7.

    MacLean (1990).

  8. 8.

    Cory and Gardner (2002).

  9. 9.

    Fleeson & Law (2015).

  10. 10.

    Perry, Pollard, Blakely, Baker & Vigilante (1995).

  11. 11.

    For example, Kochanska (2002) and Thompson (2012).

  12. 12.

    Moll, de Oliveira-Souza, Eslinger, Bramati, Mourao-Miranda, et al. (2002).

  13. 13.

    Narvaez (2013, 2014).

  14. 14.

    Green and Piel (2009).

  15. 15.

    For example, Oliner and Oliner (1988).

  16. 16.

    Aquino and Reed (2002).

  17. 17.

    Graham and Haidt (2012).

  18. 18.

    For more discussion see Narvaez (2014), Narvaez, Gettler, Braungart-Rieker, Miller, and Hastings (in press-a) and Narvaez, Hastings, Braungart-Rieker, Gettler, and Miller Graff (in press-b).

  19. 19.

    Narvaez (2006, 2009), Narvaez, Bock & Endicott (2003), Narvaez, Bock, Endicott, and Lies (2004), Narvaez and Bock (2009, 2014), Narvaez and Endicott (2009) and Narvaez and Lies (2009).

  20. 20.

    See Narvaez (2014) for more detail.

  21. 21.

    Narvaez (2013, 2014, 2015).

  22. 22.

    They can also leave at will when disagreements cannot be resolved.

  23. 23.

    See Narvaez (2014).

  24. 24.

    Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005).

  25. 25.

    Edmundson (2015).

  26. 26.

    Lewontin (2010).

  27. 27.

    Kropotkin (2006), Margulis (1998), Sahlins (2008). Also, for further discussion, see Narvaez et al. (in press-a) and Narvaez et al. (in press).

  28. 28.

    Gómez-Robles, Hopkins, Schapiro, and Sherwood (2015).

  29. 29.

    For more details, see Narvaez et al. (in press-a), Narvaez, Panksepp, Schore, and Gleason (2013a, b), Narvaez et al. (2014) and Trevathan (2011).

  30. 30.

    Kurth, Noble, and Narvaez (2015) and Noble, Kurth, and Narvaez (2015).

  31. 31.

    Harlow (1958).

  32. 32.

    See Narvaez (2014).

  33. 33.

    Berry (1999).

  34. 34.

    Shonkoff et al. (2012); Shonkoff & Phillips (2000).

  35. 35.

    Narvaez (in press).

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  1. Psychology Department, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

    Darcia Narvaez

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Narvaez, D. (2016). The Future of Morality Theory and Research. In: Embodied Morality. Palgrave Pivot, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55399-7_6

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