First, the lede:
Morality is modified in the lab
Scientists have shown they can change people’s moral judgements by disrupting a specific area of the brain with magnetic pulses.
Now, the crux:
“The study suggests that this region – the RTPJ – is necessary for moral reasoning.
“What is interesting is that this is a region that is very late developing – into adolescence and beyond right into the 20s.
“The next step would be to look at how or whether moral development changes through childhood into adulthood.”
As far as I’m concerned, this adds weight to parents setting clear limits and doling out consequences for misbehavior that gives children a “moral compass” to guide them through childhood and youth.
I figured being commanded by God to bring up our children properly was enough to sway my thinking. I do find it interesting that science has found this quirk in the mind, food for thought.
Now, TF, you know trhat doesn’t work even for most people who call themselves Christian. Heck, Deacons, Elders, Pastors–the whole litany of “church leaders”–often fall far short there. Heck, look at the sons of Eli or David’s sons Amnon and Absalom in the OT. Such lapses in parenting go back to the dawn of time.
BTW, I didn’t see in the article just how powerful the magnetic pulse had to be, but I did wonder… what about all those magnetic devices we hold to or put in our ears–for many of us, our right ear–many times a day? Could those be having some effect? Perspiring minds want to know…