Moral Pluralism in Behavioural Spillovers: Across-Disciplinary Account of the Multiple Ways in Which We Engage in Moral Valuing

Environmental Values, 2019

32 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2019

See all articles by Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent

University of Queensland

Ann-Kathrin Koessler

Institute of Environmental Planning, Leibniz University Hannover; Institute for Environmental Systems Research & Department of Economics, University of Osnabrueck

Date Written: December 11, 2018

Abstract

In this article, we reflect critically on how moral actions are categorised in some recent studies on moral spillovers. Based on classic concepts from moral philosophy, we present a framework to categorise moral actions. We argue that with a finer classification of the moral values, associated behaviour is better understood, and this understanding helps to identify the conditions under which moral licensing takes place. We illustrate our argument with examples from the literature on pro-environmental behaviours. Moral spillovers are frequently studied in this behavioural domain and to understand what causes their occurrence is highly (policy) relevant if we wish to promote sustainable behaviour.

Keywords: moral values; value pluralism; pro-environmental behaviour; behavioural spillover; moral licensing

Suggested Citation

Vincent, Michael and Koessler, Ann-Kathrin, Moral Pluralism in Behavioural Spillovers: Across-Disciplinary Account of the Multiple Ways in Which We Engage in Moral Valuing (December 11, 2018). Environmental Values, 2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3354945 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3354945

Michael Vincent (Contact Author)

University of Queensland ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Ann-Kathrin Koessler

Institute of Environmental Planning, Leibniz University Hannover ( email )

Herrenhäuser Str. 2
Hannover, 30149
Germany

Institute for Environmental Systems Research & Department of Economics, University of Osnabrueck ( email )

Barbarastr. 12
Osnabruck, 49076
Germany

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
32
Abstract Views
873
PlumX Metrics