i am a recovering herion addict and a large part of the 12 step program is developing a morality based upon accountability to a group and a higher power. i've found that surveillance isn't so much a motivator as much as wanting to be "a part of" - this has worked for me in terms of my drug use but also in other moral areas including an altruism that i never had before. is morality contagious?

Sent by dennis anonymous | 3:35 PM ET | 02-13-2008

While the experiments described by the author reveal interesting psychological phenomena, it doesn't appear to me that they have much to do with philosophy. It is certainly interesting and useful to know that environmental irritants may affect a person's altruistic impulses, for example, but that is a separate question from whether or not a given action is morally justified or ethically reprehensible. It seems to me that the former question is one of psychology while the latter is one of philosophy. In other words, what is moral is a different question from what factors affect whether or not people behave morally. These different sorts of questions define the difference between disciplines like psychology and philosophy.

Sent by Kirk Rader | 3:37 PM ET | 02-13-2008

Like this subject so much because it allows me to reflect on altruistic and moral actions of folks I know and how some (notice I said some) religious friends act in a pseudo moral manner because its required for their religious dogma. Whereas non religious friends who will do what is right, moral or altruistic because they see the bigger picture and see that their action will radiate out like the whole 'play it forward' idea. I do what is right because I like the mental, physical feeling I get from doing so.

Sent by MotherLodeBeth | 3:58 PM ET | 02-13-2008