Is there a role for morality in science?

At a time in which our society is politically polarized and divided about a myriad of issues concerning governance, immigration, and national identity, some would argue the need for convincing moral knowledge and widely accepted understandings of decency and the common good has seldom been greater. Can science shed some light on how we could become more whole as a society? Blaine Fowers, professor of educational and psychological studies in the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, believes science can. For the past 35 years, he has been integrating moral questions into his work in psychology and he has spoken with dozens of like-minded academics. He started a group to share ideas and research under the umbrella of the Moral Science Network. The group has about 120 members from different universities and colleges around the world and more people show interest every day, said Fowers. "What has gotten lost in our society is a common vision or purpose,” said Fowers. "That is a very dangerous thing for democratic societies.