Rationally Speaking Podcast
Rationally Speaking #62 - Patricia Churchland on What Neuroscience Tells Us About Morality
Jun 4, 2012
Patricia Churchland, a renowned philosopher and expert in neurophilosophy, dives into the intricate ties between neuroscience and morality. She discusses how evolutionary changes shape social behaviors and the genetic factors that foster human connections. The conversation explores oxytocin beyond its labels, revealing deeper complexities in human behavior. Churchland also connects philosophical insights on morality to ethical reasoning, critiquing societal beliefs about free will and self-awareness through the lens of neuroscience.
55:14
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Quick takeaways
- Patricia Churchland emphasizes that social values are biologically rooted in brain adaptability and complexity of social structures rather than purely rational constructs.
- The podcast critiques folk psychology and discusses how advances in neuroscience may require reevaluating commonly held beliefs about mental states and moral reasoning.
Deep dives
Origins of Social Values
The podcast examines where social values originate, proposing that while basic values related to survival are hardwired into the brain, social values have a different origin. Patricia Churchland argues that social values evolve from the brain's adaptability and the complex social structures observed in mammals. Unlike the long-held belief that reason solely produces our values, she suggests that genetic changes in brain circuitry have allowed us to develop attachment and care for others, which are critical for complex social interactions. This evolutionary perspective shifts the understanding of morality from a purely rational construct to a biologically grounded phenomenon.
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