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A Comparative Perspective on the Evolution of Moral Behavior

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The Evolution of Morality

Part of the book series: Evolutionary Psychology ((EVOLPSYCH))

Abstract

Humans are not alone in the animal kingdom in showing moral behavior. The precursors to moral behavior exist in rudimentary form in many species, including our closest phylogenetic relatives, the nonhuman primates, and have evolved into the more complex moral behavior seen in humans. At its most basic, moral behavior functions to reduce tension in social groups to allow for the peaceful interactions that are essential for groups to exist. Here we consider four of these behaviors: conflict resolution, reciprocity, reactions to inequity, and empathy. By studying these behaviors in other species, we gain insight into the evolutionary history of moral behavior, what the underlying mechanisms are that motivate the behavior, how these behaviors develop in the individual, and, through the comparative approach in particular, the evolutionary function of the behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 650 Cool Water Drive, Bastrop, TX, 78602, USA

    Katie Hall & Sarah F. Brosnan

  2. Departments of Psychology and Philosophy, Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sarah F. Brosnan

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  1. Katie Hall
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Correspondence to Katie Hall .

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  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Ranald D. Hansen

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Hall, K., Brosnan, S.F. (2016). A Comparative Perspective on the Evolution of Moral Behavior. In: Shackelford, T., Hansen, R. (eds) The Evolution of Morality. Evolutionary Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19671-8_8

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