A Magnetic Field Applied to the Brain Can Alter People's Sense of Morality
March 30, 2010, Popular Science magazine
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-03/bending-morality-magnetism
MIT scientists have shown that they can alter our moral judgments simply
by magnetically interfering with a certain part of the brain. Studies have
shown that the right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) lights up with activity
when we engage in moral judgments like evaluating the intentions of another
person, indicating the region is important to making moral decisions. But
while we like to think we're very consistent in our morality, the MIT team
showed that an electromagnetic field applied to the scalp impairs our ability
to evaluate the intentions of others, leaving us with little by which to hand
down a moral judgment. The study relied on non-invasive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) to interfere with the right TPJ, temporarily impeding the
normal firing of neurons in that region. Control subjects were able to evaluate
the harmfulness and morality of characters' intentions, whereas those exposed
to TMS made judgments based purely on outcome. For example, one common question
asked whether or not it was morally permissible for a man to allow his girlfriend
to cross a bridge he knows is unsafe, even if in the end she makes it across safely.
Control subjects found the intention to do harm morally impermissible, but those
exposed to TMS largely based their judgment solely on the outcome.
Note: For more on this interesting research, GO TO:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/moral-control-0330.html
March 30, 2010, Popular Science magazine
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-03/bending-morality-magnetism
MIT scientists have shown that they can alter our moral judgments simply
by magnetically interfering with a certain part of the brain. Studies have
shown that the right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) lights up with activity
when we engage in moral judgments like evaluating the intentions of another
person, indicating the region is important to making moral decisions. But
while we like to think we're very consistent in our morality, the MIT team
showed that an electromagnetic field applied to the scalp impairs our ability
to evaluate the intentions of others, leaving us with little by which to hand
down a moral judgment. The study relied on non-invasive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) to interfere with the right TPJ, temporarily impeding the
normal firing of neurons in that region. Control subjects were able to evaluate
the harmfulness and morality of characters' intentions, whereas those exposed
to TMS made judgments based purely on outcome. For example, one common question
asked whether or not it was morally permissible for a man to allow his girlfriend
to cross a bridge he knows is unsafe, even if in the end she makes it across safely.
Control subjects found the intention to do harm morally impermissible, but those
exposed to TMS largely based their judgment solely on the outcome.
Note: For more on this interesting research, GO TO:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/moral-control-0330.html
