Teaching Ethics Informed By Neuroscience

New findings about the brain are explicating how we make moral and ethical decisions. The neuroscience of morality is relevant to ethical decision making in social work because of a shared biopsychosocial perspective and the field’s explanatory power to understand possible origins of universally accepted morals and personal attitudes at play in ethical dilemmas. The neuroscience of morality and the evolutionary theory in which it is grounded are recommended for inclusion in social work ethics courses. Advantages to students include understanding of origins of moral attitudes, contextualization of their moral inclinations and emotional reactions to ethical dilemmas, and understanding of how the brain helps or hinders situational ethical decision making. A sample course module outline is provided, as well as ideas for inclusion of the neuroscience of morality in other courses