Morality is defined as “concern with the principles of good and bad behavior.” (Oxford English Dictionary) This can be measured by our responses to events, the feelings and sensations that arise from an action. For example, if we are helped when we fall, we feel gratitude and we can conclude that the action was good, that it was right. If, on the other hand, we are hit and pushed to the ground, we feel upset and hurt, that is, we perceive the action as bad, it was a mistake. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Taking a moral stand relies on rational thinking, it requires the ability to observe actions and then feel and relate those actions to the emotions that result from it (Keysers, 2011). Therefore, by rationalizing these actions and showing empathy (to internalize the sensations of others), we can determine what we perceive to be right or wrong. Psychopaths can also rationalize their actions, but it is questionable whether the psychopath's state of mind allows them to reach moral conclusions similar to those of a sane person. The situation is not entirely black and white, a psychopath will experience both good and bad thoughts, while non-psychopaths can act on both pure and impure intentions. Thoughts, choices, and moral positions are guided and shaped by past and present experiences. If someone grew up with the right type of role model or was raised from a young age in a positive environment, healthy perceptions of right and wrong can be further developed. Through such influences, a psychopath can learn to understand the logical and the rational. differences between good and evil. Nonetheless, the innate inability to understand emotionally may lead psychopaths to simply not care about the moral perceptions of others, such that moral standards govern and determine acceptable behavior. Brain studies of the brain provide important clues as to why a psychopath may not possess an innate ability to moralize according to society's standards. To understand how brain activity might affect emotional responses, the brain has been studied using a variety of experimental methods. Scientists compared the emotional reactions of those said to be on the psychopathic spectrum with those of other people. Emotional responses are very different, as are physical body responses and brain functions. Such differences can be observed, measured and compared. An experiment conducted in a Dutch forensic clinic (Keysers, 2011) was carried out to study the different brain patterns of a psychopath, particularly to understand why a psychopath might lack empathy, a crucial trait in our idea of morality. Empathy can be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging, measuring activity in motor, somatosensory, and emotional brain regions. Such measurements have proven that reactions to contact or direct attack are equivalent to these reactions. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay A sensory system involved in the interrelated sensations of touch, body position, temperature, and pain, the somatosensory system is a diverse processing complex. It includes many..