Cognition, affectivity and morality

Abstract

This work is based on current trends in the field of moral psychology which seek to understand the nature of moral judgments and actions, incorporating the role played by affectivity in such processes. To that effect, some recent works and the data related to a research are presented, in which possible relationships were looked for between emotional states, moral reasoning and the organization of the subjects thoughts when asked to resolve conflicts of moral nature. Among the results, a strong relationship was found between the emotional state of the subjects and the way according to which they organized their reasoning. Drawing from recent theoretical contributions to this field of study, it is discussed how moral education can be built upon parameters others than those related to the development and the construction of rational ability for justice. Without denying the importance of such construction, it is advocated that education should also concern the construction and organization of the affective dimension of the psyche, seeking the development of moral personalities that integrate, at the same time, personal and collective interests in their judgments and actions.