Philosophical prerequisites for a discussion of the neurobiology of virtue

The results of studies identifying neural regions active in moral activity are increasingly available. Yet a successful investigation into the neural bases of moral character requires distinct philosophical foundations: a philosophy of mind having an appropriate metaphysical basis, and a moral psych...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mullins, Andy ca. 20./21. Jh. (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Peeters [2016]
In: Ethical perspectives
Year: 2016, Volume: 23, Issue: 4, Pages: 689-708
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Neurobiology / Ethics / Thomism
RelBib Classification:CF Christianity and Science
NCJ Ethics of science
VA Philosophy
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:The results of studies identifying neural regions active in moral activity are increasingly available. Yet a successful investigation into the neural bases of moral character requires distinct philosophical foundations: a philosophy of mind having an appropriate metaphysical basis, and a moral psychology including a reasoned account of embodied rationality and emotion. The virtue based understanding of character development as proposed by Aristotle and Aquinas offers a most promising basis for the identification of the neurobiology of virtue. It appears to satisfy these philosophical prerequisites and the insights offered by the Aristotelian/Thomistic account for the distinctions between the virtues appear to be of great assistance in the task.
ISSN:1370-0049
Contains:Enthalten in: Ethical perspectives
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2143/EP.23.4.3188787