Harris, LT;
Mungur, R;
(2023)
The intergroup level: Human = moral—the boundary conditions for moral reasoning engagement in intergroup contexts.
In: Ellemers, Naomi and Pagliaro, Stefano and van Nunspeet, Félice, (eds.)
The Routledge International Handbook of the Psychology of Morality.
(pp. 63-72).
Routledge: London, UK.
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Abstract
Humans rely on moral reasoning to determine whether a target belongs to the category human or not. We propose an evolutionary theory of the boundary conditions for moral reasoning engagement, particularly as it relates to ingroups and outgroups. Morality co- opted disgust as an emotional response to protect the ingroup from violation. We argue that moral reasoning- and subsequent attribution of humanity- is gated by the same principle that regulates disgust and more general emotional responding: contaminant proximity. Proximity- both physical and psychological- of a violator to a harm determines whether moral reasoning gets engaged or not. This engages avoidance action- tendencies that short- circuit moral reasoning, resulting in moral disengagement. Finally, there exist prepared stimuli that trigger moral intuition without moral reasoning. We describe gates that determine whether moral reasoning is facilitated or inhibited, explaining moral decisions, and moral behaviour toward ingroups and outgroups driven by whether they are considered fully human. • Moral reasoning is gated by considered humanity, which in turn affects the perception of outgroups and intergroup relations. • Moral reasoning occurs more in the context of ingroup than outgroup members because ingroup members may be viewed to be more fully human. • Whether others are perceived as (fully) human depends on their physical and psychological proximity, moderated by disgust. • Disengaged moral reasoning towards outgroup members may result in avoidance action tendencies such as dehumanisation and deindividualisation- which may make them the victim of immoral acts.
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