Abstract

Does disgust guide moral behavior, or does it hamper it? Does disgust play a critical role in ordinary moral judgments, or almost no role at all? In this volume, experts in the field come together to explore fundamental questions about the role that disgust plays (and ought to play) in our moral lives. This book features twelve new essays, nestled comfortably at the intersection of psychology and philosophy.

The Moral Psychology of Disgust brings together leading scholars—ethical theorists, cognitive scientists, developmental psychologists, legal scholars, cognitive neuroscientists, anthropologists—each answering questions that arise at the intersection of morality and disgust. The book introduces readers to the most pressing issues facing the field, and gives a perspective that is representative of the range of views and concerns that reflect the current research terrain.The book addresses three main themes: the origins of moral disgust, exploring the evolutionary function of disgust and its role in sustaining group dynamics; the psychological mechanisms underlying disgust responses and the way in which disgust influences reasoning about agency, violence, sex, and meaning; and the ethical challenges posed by disgust. The contributors explore whether we are justified in using disgust to form beliefs about right and wrong and how disgust sheds light on the very nature of morality.
In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in emotions and their role in our moral life. This volume is an outstanding exemplar of how research on this topic is best done. Its strongly interdisciplinary approach with its focus on one of the most alluring of moral emotions – moral disgust – makes it a must read for philosophers and psychologists alike.
Attila Tanyi, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Tromsø, Norway
Nina Strohminger is postdoctoral fellow in Cognitive Science at Yale University

Victor Kumar is postdoctoral fellow in Philosophy at the University of Toronto
After the recent explosion of interest and interdisciplinary effort in the moral psychology of disgust, Strohminger and Kumar collect the state of the art in the burgeoning new sub-field, including contributions from Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Daniel Kelly, and Liane Young. This book will be indispensable to disgust researchers and students alike, as well as to anyone looking for a first-class example of how interdisciplinary collaboration between philosophers and scientists can be done.
Natalia Washington, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis
This timely collection promises to overturn any current consensus about the moral status of disgust. Recently, the idea that emotions drive our ideas of right and wrong has gained prominence. This in-depth exploration of disgust teaches us how complex the interaction between emotion and moral judgment is, both from a psychological and philosophical standpoint. Highly recommended!
Heidi Maibom, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Carleton University