The Origins of Morality: How Biology and Culture Shape Us

Paul Bloom, Bruce McEwen, Mildred Solomon, Michael Young. Nearly 300 guests gathered in Caspary Auditorium for the Parents & Science Spring Evening Program held at The Rockefeller University on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The event, which was co-hosted by The Hastings Center, featured guest speaker Paul Bloom, Ph.D., the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale University. Dr. Bloom’s presentation, entitled The Origins of Morality: How Biology and Culture Shape Us, explored whether morality is an innate human behavior or a socially learned trait. His findings have provided a nuanced understanding of human beings’ inherent sense of justice and the role that learning plays in shaping moral behavior and personality as children grow up. After Dr. Bloom’s presentation, the President and CEO of The Hastings Center, Mildred Z. Solomon, Ed.D., and Rockefeller University professor, Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D., joined Dr. Bloom in an engaging panel discussion. Guests then participated in a lively question-and-answer session.