Question

Based upon Haidt’s presentation, do political parties place us in a “moral matrix”?

Answer 1

According to the research and studies of Jonathan Heidt the moral foundations of human beings are based on five channels as:

• Care/harm: This channel of morality depicts the ability to feel the joys and pains of others. The virtues kindness, gentleness, and nurturance is based on this channel.
• Fairness/cheating: This channel of morality depicts the importance of reciprical altruism. Justice, rights and autonomy are the values that it generates.
• Loyalty/betrayal: This channel emphasis the importance of unity, oneness, and self sacrifice for the aims of group.
• Authority/subversion: It emphasis on the importance of leadership and fellowship. It values the importance of legitimate authority and respect for traditions.
• Sanctity/degradation: It emphasis on the importance of the religious values of morality, and living a righteous life by avoiding immoral ways as prescribed by the religion.

According to Haidt the political parties that view themselves as 'liberals' give high priority to the care, and fairness channels of morality. They undermine the other three aspects of the morality as for them those channels are binding and are hurdles in achieving the political aims. The political parties that view themselves as 'conservatives' adhere to the values of loyalty, authority and sanctity. For them the welfare of people lies in these principles than care and fairness. Thus, we are placed in a "moral matrix" by the political parties.