Moralities of Everyday Life

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/moralities

Introduction

### Course Review: Moralities of Everyday Life In an era marked by increasing polarization and moral disagreement, the need for understanding the roots and complexities of human morality has never been more vital. The Coursera course "Moralities of Everyday Life" brilliantly tackles this pressing subject, offering learners a deep dive into the psychological foundations of our moral choices. Created to provoke thought and ignite discussions, this course is not just for aspiring ethicists but for anyone intrigued by the fundamental questions about kindness, cruelty, and the origins of our moral frameworks. #### Overview "Moralities of Everyday Life" delves into the intricate landscape of moral psychology. The course's central queries include: How can we explain kindness and cruelty? Where does our sense of right and wrong come from? And why do disagreements about moral issues seem to be perennial in society? Ideally suited for both beginners and those with prior knowledge in psychology or ethics, this course employs engaging lectures, relevant research studies, and thought-provoking discussions to guide learners through the convoluted terrain of morality in contemporary life. #### Course Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Welcome to Moralities of Everyday Life!** - The course begins by introducing you to the central themes of moral psychology. It sets the stage for understanding the inherent complexities of our moral lives. 2. **The Big Questions** - Here, students will grapple with defining morality itself, unpacking the significant debates currently at play in this field. This section encourages critical thinking and invites students to reflect on their pre-existing beliefs. 3. **Compassion** - This module examines the foundations of empathy and kindness. It poses essential questions, like the relationship between empathy and moral action and considers exceptional cases such as psychopaths to broaden our understanding of moral feelings. 4. **Origins of Morality** - In this segment, the course explores the universality of morality. It examines evolutionary perspectives, cross-cultural variances, and the groundbreaking research on the moral lives of infants, laying a foundational understanding of how morality develops from early life. 5. **Differences** - You’ll learn how culture and religion influence moral frameworks, as well as the political dimensions of morality. This module is especially relevant in today’s world, where ideological divides often stem from contrasting moral beliefs. 6. **Family, Friends, and Strangers** - This part focuses on the moral imperatives dictated by our closest relationships. It takes an intriguing turn by discussing racial and ethnic bias, and relies on behavioral economics to examine whether true altruism exists. 7. **The Big Answers** - The course culminates by addressing how external factors and contextual situations influence moral behavior, raising profound questions about free will, moral agency, and responsibility. This reflective conclusion urges participants to think critically about human nature. #### Recommendations **Who Should Enroll?** This course is highly recommended for students of psychology, philosophy enthusiasts, sociologists, and anyone interested in the mechanics of human behavior. If you are keen on understanding the moral underpinnings of social interactions, political ideologies, or personal relationships, this course offers invaluable insights. **Benefits of Taking the Course:** - **Comprehensive Understanding**: Gain an extensive view of how moral constructs are shaped by personal experiences, societal influences, and cultural contexts. - **Engaging Content**: The course combines theoretical concepts with cutting-edge research, making learning both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. - **Critical Thinking Skills**: You'll sharpen your analytical abilities as you confront difficult moral questions and examine various perspectives. - **Flexible Learning**: Being an online course, you can learn at your own pace, making it accessible even for those with busy schedules. #### Conclusion "Moralities of Everyday Life" is an intellectually enriching journey that equips you with the knowledge to navigate moral dilemmas in our complex world. Its exploration of empathy, cultural influences, and the nature of altruism provides practical tools for understanding not only ourselves but also the broader society in which we live. If you find yourself curious about the whys and hows of moral decision-making, this course is an excellent stepping stone into the depths of moral psychology. I highly recommend it!

Syllabus

Welcome to Moralities of Everyday Life!

What is morality, anyway? What are the big debates in the field of moral psychology?

Where does concern for others come from? How is it related to empathy—and is more empathy necessarily a good thing? And what can we learn from the study of those who seemingly lack normal moral feelings, such as violent psychopaths?

Here, we ask about which aspects of morality are universal. We discuss evolution, cross-cultural research, and the fascinating new science of the moral life of babies.

How does culture influence our moral thought and moral action? What role does religion play? Why are some of us conservative and others liberal, and how do political differences influence our sense of right and wrong?

Our moral feelings are usually most powerful towards our kin (such as our parents and our children) and our friends and allies. We will discuss these special bonds, and then turn to the morality of racial and ethnic bias. Then we use the tools of behavioral economics to explore the controversial question of whether we are ever truly altruistic to strangers.

We’ll discuss some clever studies that show how our moral behavior is powerfully influenced—often at the unconscious level—by the situations that we find ourselves in. Such findings raise some hard problems about determinism, free will, and moral responsibility. Most of all, if our actions are determined by our brains, our genes, and our situations, in what sense can we be said to be moral agents? The course will end by trying to address this question.