Growing Goodness

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The Biology and Neuroscience of Morality The question of what influences our own moral decisions has fascinated thinkers and researchers for centuries. Factors such as environment, culture, and upbringing certainly play a major role in shaping our moral views. However, there is growing evidence that the roots of morality lie even in our biological and neurological foundations. In this chapter, we will explore how our bodies and brains influence moral thinking and decision-making. We will examine the latest research on how our genes, hormones, and the structure of our nervous system shape our moral outlook. We will also look at the brain regions that are essential for moral development, and how they function in our moral decisions. The Role of Genes Studies of twins and adopted children have shown that there is a significant genetic component to morality. This suggests that our genes may influence our predisposition to certain moral behaviors, such as altruism, empathy, and fairness. For example, research has shown that people with certain genetic variants are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior, such as helping others in need. These variants have been linked to increased activity in the brain's reward system, which is associated with pleasure and satisfaction.