THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORY OF MIND AND ACQUISITION OF MORALITY

Öz

In this paper, some of the links between theory of mind and acquisition of morality are examined. Theory of mind is a widespread concept that entails the understanding that internal mental states, such as beliefs, hopes, desires, plans, and intentions rule people’s behavior. Having a well-developed theory of mind provides awareness that human actions are consequences of mental concepts. Because theory of mind involves mental states, it is widely acknowledged that theory of mind and moral cognition are connected. Such connection takes place in the process of a person’s judgment about whether another person’s action is intentional. Literature review reveals that theory of mind ability provides the basis for understanding intention that is necessary for moral judgments, as well as for the aspects of morality such as altruism, and being able to recognize self-conscious emotions that involve morality. Future research should examine the other links between theory of mind and acquisition of morality that are not mentioned in this study.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Theory of Mind
• Morality
• Mental States

ZİHİN TEORİSİ VE AHLAKLILIK KAZANIMI ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİ

Öz

Bu çalışmada, zihin teorisi ile ahlaklılık kazanımı arasındaki bazı ilişkiler incelenmiştir. Yaygın bir kavram olan zihin teorisi, insanların davranışlarının inançlar, istekler, planlar ve niyetler gibi içsel zihni durumlar tarafından yönlendirildiğini anlamayı içerir. Gelişmiş bir zihin teorisine sahip olmak, insan davranışlarının zihni kavramların sonucu olduğu bilincine varmayı sağlar. Zihni durumları içerdiğinden ötürü zihin teorisinin ahlaki idrak ile ilişkili olduğu yaygın bir şekilde kabul edilir. Bu ilişki, bir kişinin bir başka kişinin davranışının kasıtlı olup olmadığını yargılama sürecinde ortaya ç ıkar. Literatür taramasından, zihin teorisi yeteneğinin ahlakla ilgili yargılamalar için gerekli olan niyeti anlama, ahlakiliğin bir yönü olan özgecilik ve kişinin kendisi ile ilgili ahlaki duygularının farkına varma yeteneği için temel oluşturduğu anlaşılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada değinilmeyen zihin teorisi ile ahlaklılık kazanımı arasındaki diğer ilişkilerin incelenmesi, gelecekte yapılması muhtemel çalışmalar için tavsiye edilmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Zihin Teorisi
• Ahlaklılık
• Zihni Durumlar

Kaynakça

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