Ethics Module 3: Moral Agency

Moral Agency

• Moral agency is the capacity to discern right from wrong based on an individual's understanding of good and bad.
• Philosophers assert that only rational beings capable of reasoning and forming self-interested judgments qualify as moral agents.

Rational Being

• A person is deemed rational when their beliefs and actions align with moral principles or are guided by them.
• Principles are foundational truths or propositions that underpin belief systems and reasoning chains.

Moral Responsibility

• Moral responsibility encompasses frameworks to handle widespread harm and wrongdoing stemming from group actions.

Concept of Freedom

• Freedom involves the ability to act independently, without coercion or influence from others.
• Circumstantial freedom refers to the ability to act on desires, while metaphysical freedom (freewill) emphasizes genuine choice among options.

Person

• A person is considered part of the moral community capable of performing good or bad actions, and can receive corresponding actions.
• Reciprocal action indicates the response of one individual towards another based on initial actions.

Social Characteristics of a Person

• Include various aspects: economic, political, philosophical, digital self, and cultural self.

Moral Principles

• Moral principles serve as guidelines for ethical behavior, emphasizing values like honesty, fairness, and equality.
• Individual moral principles can vary, influenced by upbringing and personal values.

Criteria for Personhood

• Genetic Criterion: Being considered a person if composed of human DNA; recognized individuals include people and fetuses, while excluded are pets and inanimate objects.
• Cognitive Criterion: Personhood involves consciousness, reasoning abilities, self-motivation, communication skills, and self-awareness; includes individuals without cognitive disabilities and some animals, while excluding those with significant disabilities or coma patients.
• Social Criterion: Recognition by society or affection from others contributes to personhood; applies to people and fetuses but excludes those deemed isolated or disregarded.
• Sentient Criterion: The capacity to feel pleasure or pain determines personhood; applicable to many humans and animals, but not to coma patients or first-trimester fetuses.

Factors Influencing Personhood

• Cultural beliefs, legal frameworks, religious beliefs, individual motives, and education shape the understanding of personhood and moral agency.

Culture

• Encompasses both material and non-material components, including practices and beliefs.

Law

• Structured policies are enacted to maintain social order through expected adherence.