The Moral Agent PDF

The Moral Agent -morality of one's action based on the morality of the agent acting in a particular situation -action can be considered moral or immoral depending on the decision Dilemma -a form of argument composed of a conjunction of two conditional hypothetical statements. This type of major...

The Moral Agent -morality of one's action based on the morality of the agent acting in a particular situation -action can be considered moral or immoral depending on the decision Dilemma -a form of argument composed of a conjunction of two conditional hypothetical statements. This type of major premise will serve as the horns of the dilemma. -The importance of studying dilemma lies on its rhetorical implication. This is because the dilemma will serve as the most powerful instrument of persuasion -experiences where an agent is confused about the right decision to make Moral Standard -deals with matters that may seriously injure or may greatly benefit human beings. The basis of morality, is the pleasure or pain that an action -An action is considered to be morally acceptable not because it is accepted by the majority but on the goodness that such action would entail to the other people Cultural and Moral Behavior -different sources that might influence the way a person behaves morally. our family, the community we belong, the religion we practice, our school, and even the virtual world we see-- the social media -These factors may, in one way or another affect our behavior as a moral person -Another significant source of influence is the pop culture or the popular culture. Cultural Relativism -view that ethical systems and cultural beliefs vary from one culture to another 3 Claims of Protagoras -Man is the measure of all things, of things that are that they are, and of the things that are not that they are not -That he could make the worse argument appear better or the weaker argument appear to be stronger -That one could not tell if the gods existed or not Protagoras -knowledge is limited to the person's various perceptions -believed that man's knowledge is measured by what he perceives-knowledge is therefore, relative to each person -State makes the laws and that these laws should be accepted by everyone because they are as good as any that can be made -people should respect and uphold the customs, laws, and moral rules -believed that the young should be educated to accept and support the tradition of their society Moral Relativism -Moral judgement, are also relative -Law and moral rules are based upon convention. -No one can say that these laws by which we can judge whether such laws are true and others are wrong Ethical Relativism : Moral Relativism -He believed that laws and moral rules are based, not upon nature, but upon convention -There are no universal or absolute moral principles. Standards of right and wrong are always relative to a particular culture or society **M4** CHARACTER -comes from the Greek term character, which initially referred to the mark impressed upon a coin -In philosophy, the person's character refers to the moral aspect of a person CHARACTER : ARISTOTLE His idea of character is etymologically linked to ethics and morality His concept of morality is connected with his concept of arete, which he translated as excellence MORAL IDEAS OF LAWRENCE KOHLBERG -Moral character serves as the basis for moral action -He upheld the idea that there should be a consensus of morality PRE- CONVENTIONAL STAGE -This stage is also called the self-focused stage - is concerned with concrete consequences to individuals - focusing on pursuing a concrete interest while avoiding sanctions -(9 years old and below), we do not have a personal code of morality. Instead, our moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences STAGE 1 : OBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT ORIENTATION -This is the orientation to punishment and reward and to physical and material power -At this stage, what is right for the person to do is to obey the rules and avoid physical damage -The reason for making a moral decision is to avoid punishment STAGE 2 : PLEASURE ORIENTATION OR THE INSTRUMENTAL- PURPOSIVE ORIENTATION -The emphasis is on the idea of reciprocity, exchange of favors -What is right is one's immediate interest, and letting others act also in their own interest -An action is considered to be morally right if it is fair -The reason for acting morally is merely to satisfy one's need and admit the needs of others in their own self-interest -Human relations, in this stage, is seen as a marketplace, that is, a place of exchange of interest CONVENTIONAL STAGE -characterized by the group- focused stage and it is concerned with fulfilling role expectations, as well as maintaining and supporting the social order -At this level (most adolescents and adults) begin to internalize the moral standards of valued adult role models -Authority is internalized but not questioned, and reasoning is based on the norms of the group STAGE 3 : PEER AND GROUP ACCEPTANCE ORIENTATION -This stage is the "good boy" orientation as it seeks to maintain expectations and win approval -In this stage, what is considered to be morally right is what pleas or helps others -A moral act is that which reinforces mutual relationships such as trust, loyalty, respect, and gratitude -The reason for helping and for pleasing others is his own need to be seen by others as a loyal, caring person, therefore, a moral person \- a person in this stage take the third person's perspective STAGE 4 : SOCIAL STRUCTURE ORIENTATION -At this stage, the individual becomes aware of the wider rules of society, so judgement concerns obeying the rules in order to avoid guilt -This stage is characterized by an orientation to authority, law and duty -The main preoccupation is on how to maintain a fixed order, whether social or religious POST -- CONVENTIONAL STAGE -Individual judgement is based on self- chosen principles, and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice -This level of moral reasoning is as far as most people get -Most people take their moral views from those around them and only a minority think through ethical principles for themselves. -In this stage, it is here that one examines, adopts, and applies the different ethical frameworks or principles STAGE 5 : SOCIAL -- CONTRACT ORIENTATION -This stage puts emphasis on equality and mutual obligations within a democratically established order -At this stage, one is concerned that obligations be based on calculations of overall utility and o what is really good for all -An individual may look at morality as a way of recognizing the rights of the individual -To certain extent, there is a universality in this good reasoning but still within basic human society and basic human agreements STAGE 6 : THE UNIVERSAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLE -This stage is focused on the principles of conscience that have logical comprehensiveness and universality -The highest value is placed on human life, on equality, and on human dignity -People at this stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law -The person who has arrived at this stage will be prepared to act to defend the moral principles even if it means going against the rest of the society -People will rarely reach this stage