How Meditation Affects Ethical Reasoning and Ethical Behavior: Limitations of Current Research and Suggestions Moving Forward

Earlier research on mindfulness, lovingkindness, and compassion meditation has examined their effects on ethical reasoning and behavior, but a key gap exists between reasoning and behavior, as shown by experimental philosophy. Later studies acknowledge mitigating factors that influence changes in ethical behavior. The current evidence is limited, but the area remains promising. This paper argues for more multidisciplinary work combining philosophy and religious studies to inform psychological research on meditation and changing ethical behavior.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Some earlier scientific research on mindfulness, lovingkindness and compassion meditation have investigated their effects on ethical reasoning and ethical behavior. Unfortunately, when these studies are cited, improving ethical reasoning or awareness or judgment is too often conflated with increasing ethical behavior. However, empirical evidence from Experimental Philosophy shows a key gap between reasoning and behavior. A similar issue exists with research on meditation and ethical awareness or ethical judgment. Later studies on meditation and ethics acknowledge that there are mitigating factors that influence changing ethical behavior. Though I conclude that the current evidence from research is limited, it is still a promising area of study. This paper argues for the need for more multidisciplinary work to combine insights from the discipline of philosophy and the field of religious studies in order to inform psychological research on meditation and changing ethical behavior.