Ethics 8-9 Flashcards
This is a theory which holds that moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has 6 identifiable development stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor.
Kohlberg’s stages of moral development
This stage expresses “what is in it for me” in which the right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest which doesn’t consider one’s relationships or reputation
2nd stage Mutual Benefit
The general hypothesis is that moral behavior is more responsible, consistent, and predictable from people at higher levels.
Might appear in true and false
This level is especially common children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning. Individuals at this level judge the morality of an action based on its direct consequences
Pre-Conventional Levels
(This is stage 1 and 2)
Concerned with the self in an egocentric manner
In this stage, individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves
1st stage Reward and Punishment
(An action is morally wrong because the agent is punished)
This is the typical level of adolescents and adults. To reason in this level is to judge the morality of actions by comparing them to society’s views and expectations.
Conventional Level
This is a normative moral theory which emphasizes the right disposition and character of the agent over the right action
It asks “How ought I live my life” instead of “What is the right thing to do”
Virtue Ethics
This type of ethics is the actual application of ethical or moral theories for the purpose of deciding which ethical or moral actions are appropriate in a given situation
Applied Ethics
This level is also known as the principled level. marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individual’s own perspective may take precedence over society’s view. Basically they make break rules if it breaks their principles
Post-Conventional Level
(They live by their own ethical principles, they view rules as useful but changeable and not absolute)
In this stage is important to obey laws and social conventions because they’re important in maintaining a functioning society
4th stage Law and Order
In this stage, moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles.
Laws are only valid in so far as they are grounded in justice.
6th stage Universal Ethical Principle Driven
The individual acts because it is right and not for any other reason
This type of ethics is prescriptive in nature as it seeks to set norms or standards that regulate right and wrong or good and bad conducts
Normative Ethics
In this stage the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights, and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person and community.
5th stage Social Contract Driven
(Laws are social contracts based on the principle of utility)
Individuals behave according to the greatest number of people to be affected
This type of ethics is descriptive in nature, it aims to understand the nature and dynamics of ethical principles and asks question about the same to moral facts
Metaethics
In this stage, the self enters society by conforming to social standards. Individuals act depending on what others would say and is very susceptible to peer pressure
3rd stage Good boy/girl
