Mens Rea: Moral Thinking About Other Minds

As a cognitive neuroscientist, Rebecca Saxe’s work has identified key areas of the brain engaged in theory of mind tasks, when people attempt to understand the thoughts and intentions of others. This ability is sometimes linked to empathy, which may affect an individual’s behavior when moral choice is involved, particularly involving one or a few others. Her talk will touch on the importance and the complexity of these findings in linking the neuroscience of these concepts to moral behavior.