Deontological and Altruistic Guilt Feelings: A Dualistic Thesis

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Francesco Mancini¹  Amelia Gangemi³ 

[1] Scuola di Specializzazione in Psicoterapia Cognitiva (SPC);Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University;Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina

关键词: guilt emotion;    deontological guilt;    altruistic guilt;    moral norms;    disgust;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651937

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

In this paper we argue in favor of the existence of two different guilt feelings: altruistic guilt (AG) and deontological guilt (DG). AG arises from having harmed, through one's own action or omission, an innocent victim, while DG arises from the transgression of an internalized norm. In most daily experiences of guilt feelings both types are present, but we argue that they are not traceable to each other and that each can be present without the other. We show that the two guilt feelings can be distinguished with reference to behavioral, cognitive, and neurophysiological aspects. Moreover, we demonstrate that they are differently related to other processes and emotions. AG is connected with pain, empathy and ToM. DG is strongly related to disgust. We briefly illustrate some implications for moral psychology and clinical psychology.

【 授权许可】

CC BY