Morality, a complex web of beliefs and intuitions that guides our sense of right and wrong, has been a subject of philosophical and theological debate since the dawn of time. Jonathan Haidt, an influential social psychologist, proposed the concept that morality is built upon a set of fundamental, psychological foundations in his now famous book, “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion”.
By understanding these moral foundations, we can gain a deeper insight into our own moral compass and the often-contentious moral and political landscape of our society. Self awareness, combined with empathy and understanding of others, can promote better dialogue and solutions for our eclectic society.
Though originally working with the theory of five moral foundations, Haidt and his colleagues posit that morality is built upon six psychological foundations, each rooted in evolutionary adaptations to address specific survival challenges faced by our ancestors.
Of noted absence in Haidt’s six moral foundations is a logic/truth foundation as his theory focuses on the psychological underpinnings of our moral intuitions, rather than abstract concepts like pure truth or logic. He argues that moral judgments are often driven by quick, intuitive reactions rather than deliberate, logical reasoning. Therefore, his theory aims to capture the foundational intuitions that shape our moral sense, even if those intuitions don't always align with strict logic. Much like Daniel Kahneman who differentiated our thought processes into thinking fast and slow, Haidt, too, has bifurcated the two functions of our psyche.
Haidt’s six moral foundations are:
1. The Care/Harm foundation is rooted in our innate sensitivity to suffering and our drive to protect the vulnerable. It manifests as empathy, compassion, and a strong aversion to cruelty, compelling us to nurture and alleviate pain in others. Forrest Gump's life exemplifies pure Care/Harm, consistently prioritizing the well-being of others with unwavering kindness and empathy, regardless of social barriers. Additionally, despite her short-term memory loss, Dory in Finding Nemo consistently displays a strong sense of empathy and a desire to help others. Her unwavering support of Marlin in his search for Nemo, and her own quest to find her family, are driven by a deep sense of care.
2. The Fairness/Reciprocity foundation centers on the fundamental principles of justice, equality, and the expectation of reciprocal actions. It's the intrinsic belief that individuals should receive what they are due, that transgressions should be met with appropriate consequences, and that collaborative efforts should be acknowledged and rewarded. Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" serves as a quintessential embodiment of this foundation, his unwavering dedication to justice in the face of deep-seated prejudice demonstrating the power of this moral imperative. He fights tirelessly for Tom Robinson's right to a fair trial, championing the idea of equal treatment under the law. Other characters that represent this concept are, Robin Hood, who steals from the rich to give to the poor, embodying a form of distributive justice. Erin Brockovich, who fought tirelessly against corporate injustice to provide restitution to those harmed, also, incorporated this foundation.
3.The Loyalty/Betrayal foundation underscores the significance of group unity, unwavering allegiance to one's ingroup, and the denouncement of those who breach that trust. It fuels a sense of belonging, patriotism, and a readiness to make sacrifices for the collective good. Captain America, within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, embodies this principle through his steadfast devotion to his nation and his team, even when confronted with challenging ethical dilemmas. His commitment to safeguarding his group and upholding its core values is paramount. Conversely, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep in "A Few Good Men" presents a distorted manifestation of loyalty. He exhibits extreme fealty to his Marine unit and the concept of "unit cohesion," rationalizing his actions, even those morally dubious, under the guise of unwavering loyalty.
4. Authority/Subversion is a moral foundation rooted in respect for hierarchy, tradition, and legitimate authority. It's the sense of duty, obedience, and the recognition of established social order. Darth Vader’s unwavering adherence to the Emperor's authority, even when it leads him down a dark path, demonstrates this foundation's influence. He embodies the principle of unquestioning obedience to a higher power. Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, in addition to the loyalty foundation, exemplifies the authority foundation. He believes in the absolute authority of the chain of command and expects unquestioning obedience from his subordinates. He sees himself as an authority figure who is not to be questioned.
5. The Sanctity/Degradation foundation centers on the sense of purity, sacredness, and disgust. It's the aversion to things considered unclean, impure, or morally polluting. The sanctity of life, honor, family, the flag, and constitution often reflect this moral foundation. Gandalf’s(The Lord of the Rings) fight against the forces of darkness and his commitment to protecting the purity of Middle-earth reflect this foundation. He represents a force for good that guards against the contamination of evil. Maximus in Gladiator is driven by a moral code of honor and family in addition to his foundation of loyalty to Rome.
6. Liberty/Oppression is a relatively recent addition to the theory and focuses on the desire for freedom, autonomy, and the aversion to coercion. It emphasizes the importance of individual rights and the resistance to tyranny. A great movie example is William Wallace in Braveheart. Wallace's passionate fight for Scottish independence and his unwavering resistance to oppressive English rule embody this foundation. His determination to secure freedom for his people underscores the importance of liberty. Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games becomes a symbol of rebellion against the oppressive Capitol, representing the fight for individual and societal freedom.
Obviously, the movie character examples are not all purely motivated by one moral foundation and neither are we as individuals. As Haidt hypothesizes, individuals range from a balanced moral foundation utilizing the various morals equally to a significantly imbalanced foundation where one or two of the morals are overly emphasized.
Therein lies the crux of the division in society as it often relates to politics, religion, and policy. As an example, one group or individual may be guided heavily by the care/harm foundation and focus on protecting a person or class of people at the expense of others; whereas, another group may be internally wired to protect the sanctity of a system designed to not provide special privileges at the expense of others.
Recognizing the differences in the moral foundation underpinnings of individuals or groups can help us to better understand the rationale that influences one’s actions. It is, also, where, if we can be self aware of our own foundations while understanding the balance of others, we can empathize and drive more productive dialogue and solutions.
Terry’s Take is a personal and professional opinion publication from Bryan Terry, MD and paid for by Bryan Terry for State Representative, Cheryl Terry Treasurer. Hope you enjoy the content.