The Theory of Dyadic Morality: Reinventing Moral Judgment by Redefining Harm

The nature of harm-and therefore moral judgment-may be misunderstood. Rather than an objective matter of reason, we argue that harm should be redefined as an intuitively perceived continuum. This redefinition provides a new understanding of moral content and mechanism-the constructionist Theory of Dyadic Morality (TDM). TDM suggests that acts are condemned proportional to three elements: norm violations, negative affect, and-importantly-perceived harm. This harm is dyadic, involving an intentional agent causing damage to a vulnerable patient (A→P). TDM predicts causal links both from harm to immorality (dyadic comparison) and from immorality to harm (dyadic completion). Together, these two processes make the…

• JT
  John Templeton Foundation

  Award: Imagination Institute; RFP-15-11
• RS
  Russell Sage Foundation

  Award: 93-16-08
• CK
  Charles Koch Foundation
• DO
  Division of Social and Economic Sciences

  Award: SES-1534083