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Intuitions, emotions and gut reactions in decisions about risks: towards a different interpretation of 'neuroethics'

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  • Sabine Roeser

Abstract

Empirical research by Jonathan Haidt and Joshua Greene seems to support the idea that in moral decision-making under uncertainty, people follow their initial intuitions and 'gut feelings'. Rational judgements are at most rationalizations or afterthoughts in our judgements about risks. This paper will challenge the theoretical assumptions made by Greene and Haidt, by proposing a different theory of ethical intuitions and emotions. Ethical intuitions and emotions should not be conflated with spontaneous 'gut reactions'. Rather, ethical intuitions and emotions can be the source and the result of ethical reflection and deliberation. This allows for different interpretations of the empirical findings of Haidt and Greene and of psychologists who study emotional responses to risks, such as Paul Slovic and George Loewenstein. Emotional and intuitive responses to risk should not be seen as heuristics that are prone to be biases; rather, they should be seen as invaluable sources of insight when it comes to judging the moral acceptability of risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabine Roeser, 2010. "Intuitions, emotions and gut reactions in decisions about risks: towards a different interpretation of 'neuroethics'," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 175-190, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:13:y:2010:i:2:p:175-190
    DOI: 10.1080/13669870903126275
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    Cited by:

    1. Chorus, Caspar G., 2015. "Models of moral decision making: Literature review and research agenda for discrete choice analysis," Journal of choice modelling, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 69-85.
    2. Mian Numan Raheem & M. Adrees, 2021. "The Effect of Risk and Uncertainty Factors on Managerial Decision Making," Journal of Education and Vocational Research, AMH International, vol. 12(1), pages 30-37.
    3. Maria Ojala, 2013. "Emotional Awareness: On the Importance of Including Emotional Aspects in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 7(2), pages 167-182, September.
    4. Sleenhoff, Susanne & Landeweerd, Laurens & Osseweijer, Patricia, 2015. "Bio-basing society by including emotions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 78-83.

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