The science of values: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris

Diller, James W.; Nuzzolilli, Andrew E.

doi:10.1007/bf03392286

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Harris suggested that science can guide morality, provided that the well-being of conscious creatures is properly defined and established as the most fundamental concern of morality. For behavior analysts, defining such a term might involve examining it as a function of the conditions in which it is commonly used (Diller and Nuzzolilli 2012;Schlinger and Normand 2013;Skinner 1945). Just as physicists have relied on functional definitions to effectively explain the behavior of matter, behavior analysts tend to employ such definitions in explaining the behavior of organisms.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Bonobo and the Behaviorist: Frans de Waal’s Bottom-Up Morality

Diller

Boornazian

2015

BEHAV ANALYST

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This review considers Frans de Waal's The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search for Humanism Among the Primates (2013) from a behavior-analytic perspective. In his book, de Waal asserts evolution as the predominant level of selection for moral behavior, denies the possibility of a prescriptive science of morality, and misrepresents the science of behavior analysis. We expand upon de Waal's analysis and incorporate operant and cultural levels of selection of moral behavior. We also address the distinction between facts and values and describe behavior-analytic interpretations of belief. In addition, we briefly discuss the possibility of developing a behavior-analytic science of moral behavior.Keywords Altruism . Behaviorism . Morality . Pragmatism . ValuesIn The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates (de Waal 2013), primatologist Frans de Waal attempts to usurp religion as the prevailing source of moral behavior, and replace it with our evolutionary history as social animals. To support his thesis, de Waal offers evidence from our primate relative, the bonobo, who regularly demonstrates moral behavior in the absence of religion. Throughout the book, de Waal emphasizes our continuity with other species, insisting that we should approach morality from the Bbottom up^as a product of evolutionary history rather than something imposed by divine sources. In doing so, he suggests that, B[w]e started out with moral sentiments and intuitions…Rather than having developed morality from scratch through rational reflection, we received a huge push in the rear from our background as social animals^(p. 17). De Waal frequently relies on these Bsentiments and intuitions^as the anchors by which all moral principles are grounded, eventually concluding that B[m]oral law is not imposed from above or derived from well-reasoned BEHAV ANALYST (2015) 38:293-307

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confidence: 99%

The Bonobo and the Behaviorist: Frans de Waal’s Bottom-Up Morality

Diller

Boornazian

2015

BEHAV ANALYST

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“…Other reviews of The Moral Landscape are more positive and have offered constructive recommendations to further Harris' science of morality. In their review, Diller and Nuzzolilli (2012) call upon behavior analysts to support and advance an empirical approach to morality by employing behavior change techniques to encourage prosocial (i.e., moral) behavior. Wall and Shackelford (2011) present a largely favorable review of Harris' argument but observe that, while Harris indeed argues for respecting the well-being of nonhuman creatures, he provides inadequate attention to issues of animal welfare (e.g., animal testing and the consumption of animals).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wall and Shackelford (2011) present a largely favorable review of Harris' argument but observe that, while Harris indeed argues for respecting the well-being of nonhuman creatures, he provides inadequate attention to issues of animal welfare (e.g., animal testing and the consumption of animals). Although a scientific system of morality is not currently attainable in practice, several academics are supportive of its pursuit (e.g., Diller and Nuzzolilli 2012;Wall and Shackelford 2011), including Richard Dawkins, Lawrence Krauss, and Steven Pinker, whose endorsements are printed on the book's dust jacket (Harris 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hidden Ovulation

2021

Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science

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“…The moral landscape is a concept that "addresses the interrelationship between landscapes and moral values and judgments" [ (7), 191], and is "a hypothetical space representing human well-being […] where the peaks of this landscape are the heights of prosperity, and the valleys represent human suffering" (8) [as cited in Diller and Nuzzolilli (9), 266]. This paper uses the term "moral landscape" in conjunction with paradox perspective on corporate sustainability framework of Hahn et al (10) to analyze the peaks and valleys of Canadian grocers and their stakeholders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The paradox of corporate sustainability: analyzing the moral landscape of Canadian grocers

Taylor,

Charlebois,

Crowell

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

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Food prices have experienced unprecedented increases in recent times. Simultaneously, grocers are facing allegations of capitalizing on inflation to generate unjustifiable profits. Escalating expenses and a lack of transparency have engendered heightened consumer skepticism. This perceived presence of barriers and excessive profitability gives rise to ethical concerns. Our case study delves into the ethical landscape surrounding Canadian grocers, aiming to probe the public’s demand for accountability. To comprehend the factors responsible for the transformation in consumer perception of Canadian grocers in 2022, we conducted an analysis utilizing data from consumers, corporate watchdogs, and industry sources. We extended the paradox perspective on corporate sustainability framework to include a historical aspect to use as our analytical lens. This study sheds light on the alterations in circumstances that have led Canadian consumers to question entire industries and accounting practices that were previously considered unproblematic. As a remedy, we recommend the establishment of a mandatory code of conduct for grocers and an enhancement in the transparency of financial reporting. Paradoxically, corporate profits may continue to grow when societal needs are no longer perceived as being neglected or, even worse, exploited.

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The science of values: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

The Bonobo and the Behaviorist: Frans de Waal’s Bottom-Up Morality

The Bonobo and the Behaviorist: Frans de Waal’s Bottom-Up Morality

Hidden Ovulation

The paradox of corporate sustainability: analyzing the moral landscape of Canadian grocers

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