A Divided Tongue: The Moral Taste Buds of the Book of Daniel *

Abstract

Carol Newsom employs Moral Foundations Theory to illuminate the symbolic worlds of various biblical texts. This article summarizes the ‘moral taste buds’ proposed by Jonathan Haidt and then analyzes the moral ‘flavors’ of the book of Daniel. Whereas Daniel 1–6 focuses on moral aspects of authority and loyalty, Daniel 7–12 emphasizes the moral dimension of authority as framed by concerns with sanctity and liberation. Both parts of the book of Daniel concern themselves with the sovereignty of Yhwh, but their distinct moral frameworks reveal different understandings of the pressing problems facing Yhwh's sovereignty and the appropriate response of the faithful.