I’ve always encouraged my students to express their emotions openly.
Emotions are involved in our moral decisions. Our brains are actually hardwired for morality. Research in neuroscience shows that ancient synapses within the brain light up intuitively when we make moral decisions. These studies have typically used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other neuroimaging techniques to demonstrate that these regions (listed in brief below) become active when individuals engage in moral reasoning or face moral dilemmas.
Temporoparietal Junction (TPJ): The TPJ is involved in perspective-taking and understanding others’ intentions, which are essential components of moral reasoning.
Prefrontal Cortex: The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is particularly important in processing moral decisions. Damage to this area has been associated with impaired moral judgment, suggesting its crucial role in evaluating social and moral scenarios.
Amygdala: This structure is involved in emotional processing and has been shown to light up during moral decision-making. The amygdala’s activation suggests that emotions play a significant role in how we make moral choices.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): The ACC is associated with conflict monitoring and emotional regulation. It is activated during moral dilemmas, likely due to the need to resolve conflicting information and emotions.
For further reading might I suggest two quite influential papers Greene et al. (2001) who used fMRI to investigate the neural correlates of moral decision-making. They found that emotional areas of the brain, such as the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, were more active when participants considered personal moral dilemmas (e.g., pushing one person to save five others). In contrast, impersonal moral dilemmas (e.g., deciding to flip a switch to divert a trolley) engaged more cognitive areas, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Greene, J. D., Sommerville, R. B., Nystrom, L. E., Darley, J. M., & Cohen, J. D. (2001). An fMRI Investigation of Emotional Engagement in Moral Judgment. Science. https://doi.org/9749
The second paper Moll et al. (2002) showed that moral cognition involves a network of brain regions, including those linked with both cognitive control and emotional processing. This suggests that our moral decisions are the result of an interplay between reason and emotion, engaging both ancient and more recently evolved brain structures.
Moll, J., De Oliveira-Souza, R., Eslinger, P. J., Bramati, I. E., Mourão-Miranda, J., Andreiuolo, P. A., & Pessoa, L.. (2002). The Neural Correlates of Moral Sensitivity: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of Basic and Moral Emotions. The Journal of Neuroscience, 22(7), 2730–2736. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.22-07-02730.2002
The great Frans de Waal (a primatologist and ethologist), who died in March this year, believed that morality is a system that enhances cooperation within groups. He especially emphasised the importance of shared moral standards in his work. As summed up in the quote below, he highlights the 6 keys ideas (briefly detailed below) that provide the foundation for this statement.
Groups work better if we all agree on right and wrong behaviour
Social Cohesion: Shared norms and values create a sense of unity and cooperation within a group. When individuals agree on what constitutes acceptable behavior, it fosters trust and reduces conflicts. This social cohesion is crucial for group survival and efficiency.
Predictability: A common understanding of right and wrong behavior makes interactions more predictable. When group members know what to expect from one another, it minimizes misunderstandings and the potential for disruptive behavior.
Conflict Resolution: Agreed-upon norms provide a framework for resolving disputes. When conflicts arise, having a shared sense of what is fair and just helps mediate disagreements and maintain harmony within the group.
Mutual Support: Groups with shared ethical standards are more likely to engage in mutual support and cooperation. Individuals are more inclined to help others and work together towards common goals when they know their actions are aligned with the group’s values.
Evolutionary Perspective: From an evolutionary standpoint, de Waal’s research suggests that moral behavior has deep roots in our primate ancestors. Cooperation and altruism are not just human traits but are observed in other primates as well, indicating that these behaviors have been advantageous for group survival throughout evolution.
Moral Behavior in Animals: De Waal’s studies on primates reveal that they exhibit behaviors that resemble human notions of fairness, empathy, and cooperation. These behaviors suggest that moral conduct is not uniquely human but is part of a broader evolutionary strategy for successful group living.
In essence, de Waal argued that shared moral standards are fundamental for the effective functioning of any social group, whether human or non-human. They help maintain order, facilitate cooperation, and ensure the group’s overall success and stability.
I recently found my oldest rescue cat Mr Kitty, a magestic black and white medium hair “tuxedo cat” has an aggressive, invasive feline oral cancer. Most often known as SCC or squamous cell carcinoma. This came days within the three year anniversary of my dog Millie’s murder. It’s been a lot.
So I wrote a poem for Mr Kitty last Sunday to help me prepare for what I will need to do in the coming days/weeks. Here is the link: https://allpoetry.com/poem/17854487-Green-Eyes-In-Shadow-s-Silhouette-by-David-Wakeham or keep reading below.
Green Eyes In Shadow’s Silhouette
The hour of dread, with soft paws and long whiskers,
Nears its cruel crescendo, as the twilight bleeds
Into darkened silence. Green eyes, orbs of emerald,
Hold galaxies of grief, as if understanding
The unspoken decision, kind but unbearable.
Mr Kitty, you’ve stalked shadows and sunbeams,
In this house of soothing dreams. Now,
The shadow looms larger and devours the light.
Your purrs, once symphonies in the quiet night,
Diminish, a tremor in the cold winter air.
Cancer gnaws at you, a voracious ghost,
A dark star in the velvet sky of your mouth,
While I, the unwilling god, hold the power
To halt your descent into the abyss,
Yet tremble at the gravity of our goodbye.
How does one render mercy, when mercy
Is a sharpened blade? The decision, a bitter promise,
Etched in the ledger of love and loss.
I choke on the syllables of farewell,
My heart a shattered vessel.
You, in your tuxedo coat, an elegant spectre,
Press against my hand, unaware of time’s cruelty.
I search for solace in your calm, as if
You’ve found peace in the acceptance,
Of a fate that I just cannot fathom.
This difficult choice, a merciful surrender,
To spare you immeasurable pain,
The indignity of losing autonomy,
A kindness carved from sorrow,
To preserve the dignity that you deserve.
Forgive me, Mr Kitty, for playing god
In this charade of mercy and despair.
Know that love has carved this path,
And in the twilight of our shared existence,
Your memory will burn, unquenchable real and eternal.
As the final hour approaches, know I’ll hold you close,
A lifeline in the storm of sorrow.
Your green eyes, lanterns of ancient wisdom,
Guide me through the darkness, whispering
That release is not an end, but a gentle beginning.
Performing and encouraging similar activities with children can* be a good way for them to deal with the topic of death and their own mortality. To understand and process grief, we must recognise the variety and magnitude of the different responses it encompasses.
This does come with a warning, however. I have recently been doing some more reading on some of my newly diagnosed comorbidities of AuDHD might interact with the treatment of my cPTSD. It turns out, quite a bit. Sourced from shorturl.at/Jw5OW
Please keep in mind autism, etc, are very heterogeneous, so you may present differently to the symptoms listed here. They are just broad descriptors.
*This process could technically fall under cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). It has been shown that for people suffering from both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD (cPTSD), that CBT is counterproductive to the point it is harmful to the patient.
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