Parenting, not religion, makes us into moral agents

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The universal early experience of all humans, which means being totally dependent on caretakers who attempt to inculcate impulse control, should be considered as the psychological framework for the creation of significant supernatural agents. The same early experiences put us at the center of a moral universe, but there is no necessary connection between the two processes. We do not need disgruntled ancestors to make us behave; disgruntled parents will do.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)464-465
Number of pages2
JournalBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Physiology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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