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Toward a Neuroanthropology of Ethics: Introduction

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Handbook of Neuroethics

Abstract

The main argument of this introductory chapter is that there is a pressing need for a neuroanthropology of ethics because the neural bases of moral agency are to be found beyond the confines of a single brain: in the coming together and interacting of a community of brains, in the shaping of the moral brain by the social field and culture, and in the workings of a neurocognitive system that evolved to absorb, reproduce, and contribute to shared worlds of meaning. This chapter shows how the papers in this section demonstrate the need for a neuroanthropology of ethics that is sensitive to context, culture, history, and diversity as well as to the relationship between universalism and particularism, scientific fact and personal experience. This chapter also outlines areas of future research in neuroethics from a neuroanthropological perspective. A neuroanthropology of ethics is well placed to unsettle long-held assumptions about ethical behavior. It also offers new ways of approaching ethical phenomena and opens up exciting new avenues of enquiry.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Neuropsychology Research Unit, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, 3800, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Juan F. Domínguez D.

Authors
  1. Juan F. Domínguez D.
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Correspondence to Juan F. Domínguez D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Jens Clausen

  2. The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    Neil Levy

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Domínguez D., J.F. (2015). Toward a Neuroanthropology of Ethics: Introduction. In: Clausen, J., Levy, N. (eds) Handbook of Neuroethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4707-4_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4707-4_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4706-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4707-4

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

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