Chapter 1 Introduction

A study of the moral mind

Chapter 2 Setting the Scene

2-1 The denial of moral values

Philosophy

Logical positivism and emotivism

Moral relativism

The argument from queerness

Discussion

Psychology

Economics

2-2 Perspectives on the moral sense

Upbringing

Feelings and reason

Principles versus consequences

The role of altruism

The role of religion

The will of God

Religion and morality

Religion and a secular moral code

Human rights

Evolution

Our animal ancestry

Natural selection

The tyranny of evolutionary correctness

Conclusions

2-3 Morality means choice

Temptation

Good versus good

Can we really choose?

Choice and selfishness

Chapter 3 Manifestations of Morality

3-1 The morality of instinct: our animal ancestry

Family first

Caring for other young and vulnerable animals

Cooperation and reciprocal altruism

The economy

Retaliation versus conflict avoidance

War

The ten commandments

Respect for life

Respect for marriage

Respect for property

Respect for the truth

It’s not fair

Guilt

Conclusion: good behaviour, bad behaviour and the moral

sense in an evolutionary perspective

3-2 The morality of custom: to conform or to challenge

To conform…

…or to challenge

Sexual morality and marriage systems

Discussion

3-3 The morality of beyond: reaching out

The New Testament

Forgiving others

Caring concern for all

Judging others

Other moral sentiments

The cruel creator?

How we treat other species

Preserving the planet

Thoughts

Personal integrity

Chapter 4 Towards a New Consensus

4-1 Trying to account for the moral mind

Is the moral sense inevitable?

Summing up

4-2 Some conclusions

The moral dilemma

Moral authority

Towards a new morality of consensus

Looking outwards…

…and to the future

Contents