Evolving Human Nature and Multi-stable Justice

Abstract

There are at least two plausible reasons for following moral norms when this is disadvantageous. One may stem from a fear that a failure to do so will be punished. The other may lie in a belief that acceptance of the costs is morally required. It is difficult to see why a reasoning individual, in the absence of fear of punishment or of even worse results, would follow a disadvantageous norm unless a preference for morality over advantage has a basis in that individual’s nature in at least this case.