Some methodological suggestions for the psychological study of ethics.

Abstract

In order that a set of ethical values may be scientific, it is necessary: (1) to admit their postulate-like qualities, (2) to admit them to the criticism of scientific logic, with a view to eliminating all those which can be derived from more general propositions, in favor of the latter; and retaining only those whose derivates are best suited to the conditions in which the person or his group is living. Because of the intimate connection between ethical values and factors, such as conflicts, upon which depends our affective equilibrium, the tendency to evade these processes is very strong. Rationalization is the usual method of evading them. The hypothesis is proposed that a positive correlation exists between the lack of generality of a set of ethical values and the tendency to rationalize them. The function in society of the applied psychologist depends to a certain extent on his admission of the above principles and on his use of them in formulating his attitude towards ethics and in undertaking their systematic investigation from the psychological point of view. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)