Hardball Without an Umpire

This sociological analysis of how we play the morality game sheds light on the informal rules governing our moral decisions.

Rather than a particular set of truths or a peculiar form of mental activity, moral behavior is a social activity—a kind of hard-edged game This study sets forth a unique paradigm, in addition to bringing together aspects of many theories in an accessible way.

This comprehensive sociological analysis sheds light on the informal rules governing our moral decisions. According to Fein, we may not be aware of how we really play the morality game. His Negotiation/Emotion Paradigm (NEP) demonstrates that morality entails creating, enforcing, and modifying important social rules. Rather than a particular set of truths or a peculiar form of mental activity, moral behavior is a social activity—a kind of hard-edged game This study sets forth a unique paradigm, in addition to bringing together aspects of many theories in an accessible way. Fein's convincing and illuminating model of morality will be of interest to scholars and students of sociology, psychology, education, social welfare, and philosophy.