Are your moral views just a lie? A psychology professor explains the science behind our changing values an

June 23, 2026 - 06:08

Are your moral views just a lie? A psychology professor explains the science behind our changing values. According to researcher Audun Dahl, our ethical beliefs are far less rigid than most people assume. He argues that when we change our mind about right and wrong, it is not simply a sign of selfishness, weakness, or fickleness. Instead, these shifts usually come from encountering new reasons and experiences.

Dahl suggests that moral change happens in a few distinct ways. Sometimes we develop entirely new moral concerns we never had before. Other times, we connect existing values to fresh issues we had not considered. We might also rebalance competing principles, like choosing honesty over loyalty in a situation where the two clash. The key point is that these changes are not random. They follow a logic based on learning and reflection.

This view offers a more optimistic picture of human nature. Instead of seeing people as hypocrites who abandon their principles at the first inconvenience, Dahl's research suggests we are capable of genuine growth. We do not just rationalize our behavior. We actually update our understanding of what is fair, kind, and just. So the next time you change your mind on a tough ethical issue, it might not be a failure of character. It might be a sign that you are paying attention.