New Frontiers in the New Sociology of Morality: From AI and Inequality to Backgrounds and Material Enablers

Abstract

Where is the new sociology of morality headed? We identify and examine some of its new frontiers, both empirical and conceptual. First, we consider moral practices, discourses, and institutions surrounding AI technologies. A second empirical frontier concerns the relationships between inequality and moral evaluation, along with concomitant practices of classification and attribution of causation, responsibility, and deservingness. Next, we turn to the sociology of morality's conceptual frontiers. Recent work has looked at the enablers of moral phenomena, including organizational arrangements, historically variable moral background elements, and material devices and artifacts. These enabling relationships take the sociology of morality beyond research on moral practices, beliefs, and values. Finally, in the conclusion we raise three questions that suggest future steps for the subfield.