What drives moral action? How do people with moral identities end up on the opposite side of a debate? Why do some people dedicate their lives to moral action and others do not?
For centuries scholars have emphasized moral judgment as central to moral behavior. Recently, the focus has turned to moral personality. In a new edited volume, scholars from a variety of disciplines address the issues of moral character and identity. Personality, Identity, and Character: Explorations in Moral Psychology was published by Cambridge University Press and edited by Darcia Narvaez, associate professor of psychology, and Daniel Lapsley, professor of psychology.
The volume contains a broad range of work from preeminent scholars in fields that include moral philosophy, personality theory, social and developmental psychology, and neuroscience—each contributor approaching the topic of moral psychology from their own theoretical perspective and methodology.
Narvaez has published more than 80 articles, books, and chapters and has developed several integrative theories including Adaptive Ethical Expertise, Integrative Ethical Education, and Triune Ethics Theory. She serves on the boards of the Journal of Educational Psychology and the Journal of Moral Education.
Lapsley, chair of Notre Dame’s Department of Psychology, focuses his research on social cognitive and personality development in adolescence and early adulthood, including self, ego, and identity development. He currently serves on the editorial boards of the periodicals Journal of Educational Psychology and Journal of Early Adolescence .
Previously, Lapsley and Narvaez co-edited the award-winning Moral Development, Self, and Identity (2004).
For more on Personality, Identity, and Character: Explorations in Moral Psychology go to http://www.cup.cam.ac.uk/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521719278 .
