Ethics and Morality Fundamentals

Definition of Morality

• Morality refers to the principles and values that guide human behavior and decision-making
• It involves distinguishing between right and wrong, good and bad, and just and unjust

Types of Morality

• Descriptive morality: describes the moral practices and values of a particular culture or society
• Normative morality: prescribes how people ought to behave and what moral values they should hold
• Meta-ethics: examines the nature of morality and moral judgments

Moral Theories

• Consequentialism: morality is determined by the consequences of an action
  • Utilitarianism: the moral action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being
• Deontology: morality is based on rules and duties, regardless of consequences
  • Kantianism: moral actions are based on universal principles that respect human dignity and autonomy
• Virtue ethics: morality is based on the development of virtuous character traits

Moral Principles

• The Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated
• The Categorical Imperative: act only according to maxims that could be willed as universal laws
• The Principle of Non-Maleficence: do no harm to others
• The Principle of Beneficence: promote the well-being of others

Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Moral Relativism: moral values and principles vary across cultures and individuals
• Moral Absolutism: moral values and principles are universal and absolute, regardless of cultural or individual differences

Moral Development

• Lawrence Kohlberg's Theory: moral development progresses through three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional
• Jean Piaget's Theory: moral development involves a transition from heteronomous morality to autonomous morality