How does an individual become moral?
There is a strong relationship between education and development of moral judgment. Moral development continues as long as the person is in a formal education environment but then plateaus upon leaving school. Individuals can continue to learn!
Male justice orientation
Kohlberg’s stages follow the piagetian view that justice is the core of morality. His theory focuses on primarily congnitive processes. Believes that cognitive moral development is a progression toward increasingly valid or universal moral thought.
Piagets four stage model of moral development
- Amoral stage (0-2yrs)
- Egocentric stage (2-7 yrs), bends rules and reacts to environment instinctively
- Heteronomous stage (7-12 yrs) accepts the moral authority of others
- Autonomous (12+yrs) a morality of self based on cooperation, rules tested and become internalized
Kohlbergs three level model of moral development
Level 1: pre conventional reasoning in which externally established rules determine right and wrong
Level 2: conventional reasoning in which expectations of family and groups are maintained and where loyalty and conformity are considered important.
Level 3: post conventional or principled, in which the person autonomously examines and defines moral values with decisions of conscience dictating the right action.
Female ethic of care
Feminine moral reasoning is typically different from masculine moral reasoning. Females have to develop a sense of responsibility based on the universal principle of caring..
Gillians model of moral development
Level 1: orientation to individual survival and being moral is surviving by being submissive to society
Level 2: Goodness as self-sacrifice, in which being moral is first not hurting others with no thought of hurt to self
Level 3: morality of nonviolence: avoiding hurt becomes the moral guide governing all moral reasoning.
Cognitive development theory
People operate on their experiences to make sense of them, and those experiences change the basic conceptual structures by which people construct meanings. People who develop in moral judgement are those who love to learn, who seek challenges, and who are reflective, set goals, take. Risks, and profit from stimulating and challenging environments.
Character
Usually is defined as qualities or dispositions that are consistently practiced. Our actions are the product of the habits of perception, valuing, and judgement that make up our character.
Consequentialism
Refers to the kind of moral thinking that is predicated on the idea that the rightness or wrongness of any action is determined and justified by the consequences of the act being considered, judged in comparison with the consequences of the other possible acts that might be performed in the situation. It is aimed at maximizing good consequences.
Utilitarianism
In consequentiality reasoning,e very person affected by an action should be considered. Usually used in a public health setting. Ex: community water fluoridation
Deontological
Some actions are required by the rightness or wrongness of the action, regardless of the consequences of the action. Argues that some acts are right or wrong independent of their consequences. Like how a healthcare worker has an absolute duty to never lie and always tell the truth.
Virtue ethics
The cultivation of virtuous traits of character is the primary function of morality. What kind of person we ought to be and not the ethical characteristics of the acts we ought to do.
