Mark Alfano 
Moral Psychology 
An Introduction

Moral psychology is the systematic inquiry into how morality works, when it does work, and breaks down when it doesn’t work.

In this comprehensive new textbook, Mark Alfano outlines the five central concepts in the study of moral psychology: agency, patiency, sociality, temporality, and reflexivity. Subsequent chapters each assess a key area of research, which Alfano relates both to the five central concepts and to empirical findings. He then draws out the philosophical implications of those findings before suggesting future directions for research.

One of Alfano’s guiding themes is that moral philosophy without psychological content is empty, whereas psychological investigation without philosophical insight is blind. He advocates and demonstrates a holistic vision that pictures moral psychology as a project of collaborative inquiry into the descriptive and normative aspects of the human condition.

Featuring a glossary of technical terms, further reading sections and chapter-by-chapter study questions, this rich, systematic, and accessible introduction to moral psychology will be suitable for both undergraduates and researchers in philosophy, psychology and related fields.

Table of Content

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Preferences

2. Responsibility

3. Emotion

4. Character

5. Disagreement

Afterward

References

Glossary

Index

About the author

Mark Alfano is Associate Professor in Ethics and Philosophy of Technology at Delft University of Technology.