Experiments in Ethics

work by Appiah

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

Kwame Anthony Appiah's Experiments in Ethics is a work that delves into the field of moral psychology. The book explores the empirical and conceptual study of moral judgment, motivation, and development. It examines the psychological underpinnings of ethical theories, considering concepts like free will, determinism, and altruism versus egoism. Appiah also investigates issues such as weakness of will, moral self-deception, and the realistic demands of ethical theories given human capacities. The book further considers the development of virtues, moral character, and the role of emotions like compassion and remorse in our ethical lives.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Kwame Anthony Appiah
Appiah’s other nonfiction books included Experiments in Ethics (2008), The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen (2010), and The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity (2018). He also wrote the novels Avenging Angel (1991), Nobody Likes Letitia (1994), and Another Death in Venice (1995).
Read More
Appiah’s other nonfiction books included Experiments in Ethics (2008), The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen (2010), and The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity (2018). He also wrote the novels Avenging Angel (1991), Nobody Likes Letitia (1994), and Another Death in Venice (1995).
Read More