Three short talks: The Biology and Psychology of Ethical Behavior

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These seem especially appropriate for this past month. I'm sure many people are familiar with Sapolsky's work, but if not, you have a real treat in store. For a start, many of his lectures and courses are available online.

The presentation is from the Being Human 2013 Conference. Each segment is less than 20 minutes, with a discussion that follows.

http://fora.tv/2013/09/28/the_biology_and_psychology_of_ethical_behavior

Is morality culturally determined and relative, an evolved social contract that is absolute, or something else? In this session, we examine the biology of caring behavior and social interactions, as well as the dynamics of cooperation, competition, and power.

Part One: Robert Sapolsky - The Range of Human Uniqueness
Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D. Neuroscientist; Professor of Biological Sciences, Neurology, Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery, Stanford University
http://fora.tv/2013/09/28/the_biology_and_psychology_of_ethical_behavior

Part Two: Susan Fiske - Intent Detectors
Susan Fiske, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Princeton University
http://fora.tv/2013/09/28/the_biology_and_psychology_of_ethical_behavior#chapter_02

Part Three: Josh Greene - The Tragedy of Commonsense Morality
Josh Greene, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
http://fora.tv/2013/09/28/the_biology_and_psychology_of_ethical_behavior#chapter_03