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Faculty of Classics

 

Moral psychology, broadly conceived, explores the psychological preconditions of moral behaviour, constituting an important—indeed increasingly important—part of philosophical ethics. Modern moral psychology tries to take the results of empirical psychology and neuroscience on board, which makes it a genuinely interdisciplinary endeavour. It requires, among other things, the competence to frame the results of empirical studies within a philosophical vocabulary and to apply them to philosophical debates. To give a few examples, moral psychology deals with the analysis of human character, the nature of moral emotions, the relation between moral qualities and well-being, egoistic and altruistic motivation, the various forms of moral development, the acquisition of character traits, moral knowledge and the capacity to perceive morally salient features.

Despite its interest in current-day empirical and experimental approaches, the research field, agenda, and key topics of modern moral psychology have significant connections and overlap with the themes and theories of ancient moral philosophy. Most ancient moral philosophers based their ideas on morally good character, well-being and sound moral development, as well as on a general account of the human soul.

It is the shared conviction of the Cambridge-LMU Moral Psychology Ancient and Modern Group that a dialogue between contemporary moral psychology and experts in ancient moral psychological theories is both necessary and useful. It will enrich the contemporary debate and correct certain biases and conceptual shortcomings of the modern empirically-based approach. At the same time, a new reading of the ancient texts informed by the current debate will help to sharpen the philosophical potential inherent in these texts.


Moodle page for draft papers and other project materials (Registered users only)

 

Latest news

Pat Story

2 April 2025

We are very sad to pass on the news of the death of Pat Story on 25th March, after a short illness. Pat has been the single most important figure in classics education for the last 50 years and her passing marks the end of an era. There will be a celebration of her life in Hughes Hall at 2pm on Saturday 17 May. All are...

VIEWS Visiting Fellowships and Remote Inclusivity Fellowships

31 March 2025

The Faculty is pleased to announce that the UKRI funded VIEWS project has launched this year’s visiting fellowship competition, with a new virtual fellowship aimed at tackling inequalities in academia alongside the usual competition. For more information see here . The deadline for both competitions is Friday 23rd May 2025...

Assistant Professor in Classics (Greek and Latin Language Teaching)

25 March 2025

The Faculty of Classics is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in Classics (Greek and Latin Language Teaching) from 1 September 2025. Teaching responsibilities include contributing to the development and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate language courses in ancient Greek and Latin, including ab initio...

Trinity College Project Completion Grant

28 February 2025

The Faculty is delighted to announce that Dr Frisbee Sheffield has been awarded a Trinity College Project Completion Grant. The award, for Mid-Career Researchers in the Humanities, will enable a period of research leave in Lent Term 2026 in connection with a project on Socrates and the Ethics of Conversation.